PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Nov. 2, 2015)— Four USF women's soccer players were named to all-conference teams, highlighted by Defensive Player of the Year selection, Jackie Simpson.
Simpson and fellow senior Olivia Chance were each named to the American Athletic Conference First Team, while sophomore Kat Elliott and senior Allie Rossi earned second team all-conference accolades. Simpson is just the second player in USF history to earn a Player of the Year award after Tia Opliger, who was named Freshman of the Year for Conference USA in 1998
Simpson anchored a back line that limited opponents to just 9.6 shots per game, while recording 10 shutouts. In conference play, Simpson's defensive work helped hold opponents to just 9.4 shots per game and five shutouts. The Lithia, Fla. native recorded a pair of goals on the season, including the game-winner and only goal against conference champion UConn in the conference opener.
Chance, the only unanimous selection, earned first team honors for the second straight year. The New Zealand native has recorded eight goals and eight assists this season with two goals and three assists in conference play. Chance needs just five assists to tie the USF single-season record and just one more goal to tie her career high.
Elliott, a four-time conference goalkeeper of the week, earned her first all-conference nod with her second-team selection. The sophomore recorded eight shutouts on the year, five in conference play, while recording 65 saves. Her .64 goals against average ranks second all-time in USF history.
Rossi also received her first all-conference honor with her second-team selection. Along with Simpson, she helped USF record 10 shutouts and limited opponents to just 12 goals on the season. Rossi recorded her first career assist during conference play. The senior has started every game this season and played all but
Simpson, Chance, Elliott, Rossi and the rest of the Bulls take the field Tuesday, Nov.3, in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. Second-seeded USF will face No. 7 Memphis at 5:30 p.m. ET. The match will be streamed on the American Digital Network.
For more information on the USF women's soccer team, visit @USFWSOC on Twitter.
The USF women's soccer team has posted three consecutive 10-plus win seasons and four in the last five years under head coach Denise Schilte-Brown. The Bulls made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2010 and returned in 2014. USF returns 20 players from last year's roster including All-American Athletic Conference first team midfielder Olivia Chance and second team defender Jackie Simpson. They also bring back 12 players that appeared in 15 or more games last season.
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