BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) released its 2014 preseason all-conference teams and predicted order of finish as voted on by the league coaches and sport information directors.
Alabama State and Jackson State accounted for the most preseason all-conference selections with five. Alabama A&M, Prairie View A&M, and Mississippi Valley State each posted three players.
Forward Aaliyah Lewis from Alabama State was named the SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Lewis led the league and the Lady Hornets in goals (16), shots (61), shots per game (3.39), points (38), and points per game (2.1) in 2013. The sophomore from Anchorage, Alaska earned last year’s postseason Offensive Player of the Year honor.
For the second consecutive season, Debbie Arguelles of Prairie View A&M was voted the SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. She led a defense that pitched five-consecutive shutouts to close the 2013 season. The Albuquerque, N.M. native would go on to finish the year with four goals, third most on the team.
Last season’s Eastern Division winner Alabama State garnered the most votes with 153 and was predicted to win the conference. Jackson State came in second with 146 votes followed by Prairie View (120), Southern (97), and Mississippi Valley State (96) rounding out the top five. Howard University, who is entering its first season in league play, was predicted to finish sixth in the conference tallying up 95 votes. Texas Southern (79), Alabama A&M (68), Arkansas – Pine Bluff (60), Grambling State (49), and Alcorn State (26) rounded out the voting.
With the addition of Howard, soccer moves away from east and west divisional play and will compete in a single division.
Offensive Player of the Year
Aaliyah Lewis, Alabama State
Defensive Player of the Year
Debbie Arguelles, Prairie View A&M
FIRST TEAM
Forwards
Aaliyah Lewis, Alabama State
Estelle Esperance, Alabama A&M
Alexandria Cannon, Alabama State
Midfielders
Jalana Ellis, Jackson State
Ariela Lewis, Alabama State
Hailey Beekman, Mississippi Valley State
Nykosi Simmons, Mississippi Valley State
Defenders
Rayana Speight, Jackson State
Andrea Chacon, Alabama A&M
Iita Pienimaki, Alabama State
Goalkeeper
Kylee Hathaway, Alabama State
SECOND TEAM
Forwards
Eroncia Berry, Jackson State
Kimberlie Hernandez, Jackson State
Jami Blackston, Southern
Midfielders
Ana Huetas, Alabama A&M
Josee Primeau, Mississippi Valley State
Celene Batrez, Prairie View A&M
Marlyn Campa, Texas Southern
Defenders
Kyleigh Lo, Jackson State
Debbie Arguelles, Prairie View A&M
Shelby Carbin, Southern
Goalkeeper
Alyssa Cobbs, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Predicted Order of Finish
Teams | Pts (First-Place Votes)
Alabama State | 153 (7)
Jackson State | 146 (3)
Prairie View A&M | 120 (3)
Southern | 97 (1)
Mississippi Valley State | 96
Howard | 95
Texas Southern | 79
Alabama A&M | 68
Arkansas Pine Bluff | 60
Grambling State | 49
Alcorn State | 26
Courtesy: SWAC.org