HUNSTVILLE, TXMidfielder Kirby Zak, defender Kayla Anderson and forward Tricia Mallory have been named to the 2012 preseason All-Southland Conference women's soccer team.
Anderson and Zak, both seniors, are first team selections. Mallory, a junior, was named to the second team. The preseason team is selected annually by vote of the league's head coaches.
Zak begins her senior season ranked No. 5 in SHSU career goals (17). The Weatherford product holds school mark for career assists (16) and has been a three-time All-Southland selection, earning honorable mention honors as a freshman, first team recognition as a sophomore and second team as a junior.
Anderson was an All-Southland honorable mention selection in 2011. The Katy/Cinco Ranch product led team with 2,051 minutes played and started all 22 matches.
Mallory enters her junior year ranked as Sam Houston's second all-time leading scorer with 19 career goals. The Spring native was the team's "Co-Most Valuable Player" in 2011 and was the top goal scorer for last year's team with eight tallies.
"All three players are very deserving of recognition," Bearkat head coach Tom Brown said. "Kirby has played multiple spots for us in the midfield and up front. She is good at exploiting our opponent's weaknesses, so we like to move her around. Kayla was a consistent performer last season in her first year as a starter. She is very good at winning air balls and is a big threat for us on attacking free kicks. Tricia is a very good finisher of the ball and has led our attack the past two seasons. We're looking for all three of these young ladies to have outstanding seasons this fall."
Sam Houston State will kick off the 2012 season with three consecutive home games. The Bearkats play host to Prairie View A&M Friday, August 17; Texas State on Sunday, August 19 and North Texas Friday, August 24. All three matches will start at 7 p.m.
2012 All-Southland Conference Soccer Preseason Team
First Team
GK Lacey Lee Stephen F. Austin Jr.
DF Breanne Vernon Stephen F. Austin Sr.
DF Amber Thornhil Lamar Defender Jr.
DF Kayla Anderson Sam Houston Sr.
DF Kelsey Salcido Southeastern La Jr.
MF Kirby Zak Sam Houston Sr.
MF Kylie Louw Stephen F. Austin Sr.
MF Laura Sadler Stephen F. Austin Sr.
F Chelsea Raymond Stephen F. Austin So.
F Maiya Cooper Southeastern La Sr.
F Karly Dagy Southeastern La Sr.
Second Team
GK Lacey Bockhaus Southeastern La. Sr.
DF Lauren Parks Oral Roberts Sr.
DF Callie Allbright McNeese State Jr.
DF Shanyce Shaw Southeastern La Jr.
DF Lauren Stillians Southeastern La Sr.
MF Kristen Bos Lamar So.
MF Becky Johnson Stephen F. Austin Sr.
MF Johna Germany McNeese State Jr.
FW Tricia Mallory Sam Houston Jr .
FW Loran Maudslay Lamar Sr.
FW Jennifer Abernathy Oral Roberts Jr.
