Nasello Repeats as AAC Offensive Player of the Year as Six Bulls Place on All-Conference Teams
TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 3, 2021 – The University of South Florida women's soccer team had six student-athletes recognized in the 2021 American Athletic Conference annual awards, including
Sydny Nasello, who was named the league's offensive player of the year for the second consecutive season.
The AAC Offensive Player of the Year has now been a USF student-athlete in each of the last four seasons, with Evelyne Viens capturing the title in 2018 and 2019 and Nasello (Land O' Lakes, Fla.) earning the honor in 2020 and 2021.
In addition to her player of the year honor, Nasello, along with
Vivianne Bessette (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) and
Chyanne Dennis (Sunrise, Fla.), was voted first-team all-conference by the league's coaches.
Sydney Martinez (Rincon, Ga.) and
Sabrina Wagner (New Port Richey, Fla.) earned a spot on the all-conference second team list, while
Madeleine Penman-Derstine (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) was voted to the AAC All-Rookie team.
"I'm so proud of the entire team for how well they've performed in their second season this calendar year," head coach
Denise Schilte-Brown said. "It's not easy and they've given it their all which helped us capture another conference regular-season championship.
Sydny Nasello truly deserves the Offensive Player of the Year recognition. My staff and I are excited that
Vivianne Bessette,
Chyanne Dennis,
Sabrina Wagner and
Sydney Martinez were also honored for the second straight season. This is a special group and they've earned the recognition and all these individual accolades are a reflection on the whole group's efforts!"
Nasello has continued her role as a playmaker and finisher this season. In 1426 minutes of play, which ranks second among South Florida field players, Nasello has posted 10 goals and 24 points, both of which rank first in the conference. She's also scored three game-winning goals, which leads the team and ranks second in the conference.
The junior has now scored 23 goals in her career at USF, which ranks seventh in the team's record books. She also ranks in the top 10 in assists (second, 27), assists per game (third, 0.397), points per game (fourth, 1.074), shots per game (fourth, 3.00), shots (fifth, 204) and goals per game (seventh, 0.338).
Bessette, who is a second-year freshman with the NCAA's COVID-19 waiver, has expanded her role this season as a leader on USF's defensive line. The COVID-freshman has scored one goal and tallied one assist in 2021.
Along with Bessette, Dennis has maintained her playmaking role in South Florida's defensive effort. The pair have worked together to lead a backline that has smothered opposing offenses, allowing just 0.88 goals per game and 4.5 shots on goal per game. They have also assisted in six shutout efforts this season.
Martinez earned her third all-conference honor with her second-team selection this season. She's posted a 0.77 goals-against average and a 0.809 save percentage in almost 1530 minutes in 2021. On USF's single-season goalkeeping lists, she currently ranks fifth in GAA and 10
th in save percentage.
Wagner, one of ten seniors on the team, was voted to the all-conference second team for the second year in a row. The fifth-year senior is a force in South Florida's midfield, controlling play on both sides of the ball. In addition to taking 18 shots, Wagner aids in the defensive effort by stifling opponent attacks, helping the team post six shutouts and limiting teams to 4.5 shots on goal per game.
Penman-Derstine quickly found a role in USF's attack in her true freshman season. The Canadian has made eight starts in 14 appearances and has scored two goals, both game-winners. She started the year fast, scoring the deciding goal against Florida in the season-opener, and played heroine against Tulsa, netting the golden goal in the 109
th minute against the Golden Hurricane.
The Bulls will host the American Athletic Conference Tournament, which starts tomorrow and will be played at Corbett Stadium. The Bulls' semifinals matchup against SMU is the second game of the day and is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff on ESPN+. The winner of USF-SMU will battle the winner of Memphis-Houston on Sunday for the AAC Tournament Championship.
About USF Women's Soccer
Be sure to follow USF women's soccer on social media (Twitter / Instagram/Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
The USF women's soccer team has posted eight consecutive seasons of 10-plus wins and nine in the last 10 years under head coach Denise Schilte-Brown. The Bulls made their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2010 and returned in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. South Florida has five consecutive seasons with a conference championship, earning the tournament title in 2017, 2019 and 2020 as well as the regular-season title in 2018, 2020 and 2021. The program had its first draft pick and second-highest pick in USF Athletics history with Evelyne Viens being taken with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NWSL Draft by Sky Blue FC, now Gotham FC.
-#GoBulls-
