University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Bradley Tabbed Conference USA All-Freshman
11/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss forward Kierstin Bradley was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team for the 2015 season. Bradley led the Golden Eagles in goals this season with five, including two game winners.
Bradley is the first Golden Eagle to be named to the C-USA All-Freshman team since Brittany Taylor in 2013 and the sixth Southern Miss player to earn C-USA All-Freshman honors, joining Taylor (2013), Sarah McFadden (2005), Micah Stephens (2002), Katie Adams (1999), and Kayo Suzuki (1998).
"I am not surprised that Kierstin has been named all-freshman," head coach Mohammed El-Zare said. "I am very proud of her and all of her teammates that helped make this possible. Kierstin is a well-liked and respected player among her peers and she also happens to be a fierce competitor. She will continue to develop and grow as a player and I expect her to do great things both on and off the field."
In Conference USA play, the freshman from Sanger, Texas ended the year in the top ten standings in three different categories. Bradley tied for fifth in goals with four, tied for fourth in game-winning goals with two, and tied for sixth in goals per game (.40).
Bradley's two game-winning goals were the most for the Golden Eagles this season. Her ten points were also the most of any player, followed by freshman Mary Kate Smith who had two goals and four assists.
Bradley's first goal came against Jackson State on August 23. After going down one goal in the first half, Bradley led the Golden Eagles to a 1-1 tie by scoring the equalizer in the 54th minute.
Bradley's second goal of the season was another decider, this time against Charlotte on Oct. 2. Heading into that game, Southern Miss hadn't scored a goal in more than 540 minutes of play, but just one minute and 25 seconds after kickoff, Bradley was determined to change that. Charlotte's defense made an error in passing and Bradley was there to swoop in, steal the ball and beat the keeper one on one. The win snapped a five game losing streak for the Golden Eagles.
Bradley's offensive momentum continued to build in conference play, nabbing yet another yet another game winner when she scored both goals against UTSA on Oct. 16, the second one in double overtime to claim the Golden Eagle victory. In the 24th minute, Bradley volleyed teammate Mary Kate Smith's corner kick into the back of the net. Later, UTSA tied up the game and forced overtime. With just 3:42 left on the clock, Breann Hedin served a ball from the endline to Bradley, who met the pass at the six-yard box and knocked it in one-touch to end the game.
Later that weekend, against UTEP on Oct. 18, Bradley scored the team's second goal in the 76th minute to tie the game and send it into overtime. Bradley's first shot was blocked by the UTEP keeper, but she scrambled to get the rebound, and slid to knock it far post for the goal. The Golden Eagles were ultimately defeated 3-2 in the 104th minute.