University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Lands Three Golden Eagles on C-USA Women’s Soccer All-Conference Teams
10/30/2018 3:37:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Ola Akinniyi, Miah Zuazua and Olivia Durham earned First, Second and All-Freshman honors respectively
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Selections for the Conference USA Women's Soccer All-Conference teams were announced by the league on Tuesday afternoon.
Southern Miss landed three Golden Eagles on the C-USA All-Conference squads. Senior defender Ola Akinniyi, sophomore midfielder Miah Zuazua and freshman midfielder Olivia Durham were the three Golden Eagles to garner all-conference honors on Tuesday afternoon.
Akinniyi, a senior defender from Denton, Texas was named to the C-USA Women's Soccer All-Conference First Team for the second time in her career. Akinniyi became the first Southern Miss women's soccer player to be selected to the First Team since Sarah McFadden in 2007, after earning First Team honors in 2017. The Texas native is the only two-time First Team selection in Southern Miss women's soccer history.
Akinniyi was named captain of the Golden Eagles' squad for the 2018 season and she has helped lead her squad to one of the best seasons in the history of the Southern Miss soccer program.
Her play on the backline has the Southern Miss defense soaring at new heights as they enter postseason play. Akinniyi and her backline have registered a total of nine shutouts this season, breaking the previous single-season school record of seven, recorded in 2003.
The team captain has started all 17 of the Golden Eagles' matches this season, earning a total of 1,470 minutes of playing time. Akinniyi has recorded one goal, one assist and tallied three points on the season. Akinniyi's lone goal of the season came in the Golden Eagles' 7-0 shutout against ULM in August.
As a junior in 2017, Akinniyi led the team in goals scored (7) as a defender.
Southern Miss head women's soccer coach Mohammed El-Zare regarding Akinniyi's First Team Selection
"I am really proud of the growth and development that I have seen from Ola over the course of her four years at Southern Miss. She has grown and developed not only as a soccer player but as an individual and a leader as well. She has put in a lot of hard work during her time here and she is very deserving of this award. The recognition that she has received from the other coaches in the conference to get this award comes as no surprise to me."
Sophomore midfielder Miah Zuazua earned C-USA Women's Soccer All-Conference Second Team honors for the first time in her career on Tuesday afternoon. Zuazua was a C-USA Women's Soccer All-Freshman Team selection in 2017.
The Dallas, Texas native has been the main offensive weapon for the Golden Eagles in 2018. Zuazua leads her team in goals scored (9), assists (6) and points (24).
She has started 16 of the Golden Eagles' 17 matches this season, totaling 1,228 minutes of playing time. Five of the nine goals that Zuazua has netted this season have been game winners. Her five game-winning goals scored are the most game-winning goals recorded by any C-USA women's soccer player this season.
Coach El-Zare regarding Zuazua's Second Team Selection
"Miah is continuing to grow as a player. For her to be recognized as one of the top players in such a competitive conference as a sophomore is certainly a great achievement. If she can continue to grow and adapt the sky is the limit for her. I am proud of Miah for all of the hard work that she has put in and I am looking forward to what she will do in the future."
Freshman midfielder Olivia Durham was selected to the C-USA Women's Soccer All-Freshman Team. Durham becomes just the seventh Golden Eagle in the history of the program to earn All-Freshman honors.
The Marietta, Ga. native has started 12 of the Golden Eagles' 17 matches this season, and has appeared in 16. She has played a total of 923 minutes over the course of the season. Durham's 12 starts, 16 appearances, and 923 minutes played are the most my any freshman on the Southern Miss roster this season.
Durham is currently tied with senior teammate Stephanie Garcia as Southern Miss' second leading goal scorer, after scoring a total of four goals so far in 2018. The freshman midfielder has also posted a total of eight points on the season.
El-Zare on Durham being named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team
"Olivia entered preseason as the fittest player on our roster as a true freshman. Her being able to start and compete in the number of matches that she has, and to play the amount of minutes that she has at a quality level has been a major contribution to the success of our team this season. I am really proud of Olivia for her effort, hard work, and willingness to adapt. Being willing to adapt is a prerequisite for an elite player and I believe that she is on the path to become an elite player. She shows up every day, works hard, goes about her business and is humble about it."
2018 C-USA Women's Soccer Superlative Awards Presented By Ready Nutrition
Offensive Player of the Year
Peyton DePriest, Middle Tennessee
Defensive Player of the Year
Dominique James, North Texas
Midfielder of the Year
Lianne Mananquil, Rice
Goalkeeper of the Year
Kelsey Daugherty, UAB
Freshman of the Year
Hannah Tillett, Middle Tennessee
Coach of the Year
Patrick Baker, Florida Atlantic
All-Conference USA First Team
GK: Kelsey Daugherty, UAB
D: Ebba Blomqvist, Florida Atlantic
D: Dominique James, North Texas
D: Ola Akinniyi, Southern Miss
MF: Lianne Mananquil, Rice
MF: Mary O'Hara, Florida Atlantic
MF: Hannah Tillett, Middle Tennessee
MF: Nomvula Kgoale, Louisiana Tech
F: Peyton DePriest, Middle Tennessee
F: Megan Greene, Charlotte
F: Ambere Barnett, WKU
All-Conference USA Second Team
GK: Jennifer Ocampo, Florida Atlantic
D: Sydney Navarro, Middle Tennessee
D: Riley Orr, Charlotte
D: Emily Roberts, Old Dominion
MF: Miah Zuazua, Southern Miss
MF: Nicole Roseland, WKU
MF: Sarah Gorham, WKU
F: Iris Achterhof, Old Dominion
F: Aaliyah Nolan, North Texas
F: Annie Walker, Rice
F: Marah Abu-Tayeh, Marshall
F: Kamilah Mustafa, UAB
All-Conference USA Third Team
GK: Kelsey Brann, North Texas
D: Carissa Sanders, North Texas
D: Ashley Seltzer, Marshall
D: Elizabeth Doll, Louisiana Tech
D: Alex Maxson, Florida Atlantic
MF: Erin Mikeska, Rice
MF: Amber Hoot, Middle Tennessee
MF: Carla Morich, Old Dominion
F: Taylor Torres, North Texas
F: Ellis Patterson, UTSA
F: Elisha Holmes, Florida Atlantic
F: Julia Grainda, Charlotte
F: Berklee Peters, North Texas
Conference USA All-Freshman Team
Ambere Barnett, F, WKU
Hannah Tillett, MF, Middle Tennessee
Hailey Landrus, D, Florida Atlantic
Kelsey Brann, GK, North Texas
Delaney Schultz, MF, Rice
Olivia Durham, MF, Southern Miss
Alexandra Augustyn, D, Louisiana Tech
Jojo Ngongo, F, UTEP
Sandra Geiselhart, MF, Charlotte
Lexi Bolton, F, UTSA
Kaydeen Jack, F, FIU
Southern Miss landed three Golden Eagles on the C-USA All-Conference squads. Senior defender Ola Akinniyi, sophomore midfielder Miah Zuazua and freshman midfielder Olivia Durham were the three Golden Eagles to garner all-conference honors on Tuesday afternoon.
Akinniyi, a senior defender from Denton, Texas was named to the C-USA Women's Soccer All-Conference First Team for the second time in her career. Akinniyi became the first Southern Miss women's soccer player to be selected to the First Team since Sarah McFadden in 2007, after earning First Team honors in 2017. The Texas native is the only two-time First Team selection in Southern Miss women's soccer history.
Akinniyi was named captain of the Golden Eagles' squad for the 2018 season and she has helped lead her squad to one of the best seasons in the history of the Southern Miss soccer program.
Her play on the backline has the Southern Miss defense soaring at new heights as they enter postseason play. Akinniyi and her backline have registered a total of nine shutouts this season, breaking the previous single-season school record of seven, recorded in 2003.
The team captain has started all 17 of the Golden Eagles' matches this season, earning a total of 1,470 minutes of playing time. Akinniyi has recorded one goal, one assist and tallied three points on the season. Akinniyi's lone goal of the season came in the Golden Eagles' 7-0 shutout against ULM in August.
As a junior in 2017, Akinniyi led the team in goals scored (7) as a defender.
Southern Miss head women's soccer coach Mohammed El-Zare regarding Akinniyi's First Team Selection
"I am really proud of the growth and development that I have seen from Ola over the course of her four years at Southern Miss. She has grown and developed not only as a soccer player but as an individual and a leader as well. She has put in a lot of hard work during her time here and she is very deserving of this award. The recognition that she has received from the other coaches in the conference to get this award comes as no surprise to me."
Sophomore midfielder Miah Zuazua earned C-USA Women's Soccer All-Conference Second Team honors for the first time in her career on Tuesday afternoon. Zuazua was a C-USA Women's Soccer All-Freshman Team selection in 2017.
The Dallas, Texas native has been the main offensive weapon for the Golden Eagles in 2018. Zuazua leads her team in goals scored (9), assists (6) and points (24).
She has started 16 of the Golden Eagles' 17 matches this season, totaling 1,228 minutes of playing time. Five of the nine goals that Zuazua has netted this season have been game winners. Her five game-winning goals scored are the most game-winning goals recorded by any C-USA women's soccer player this season.
Coach El-Zare regarding Zuazua's Second Team Selection
"Miah is continuing to grow as a player. For her to be recognized as one of the top players in such a competitive conference as a sophomore is certainly a great achievement. If she can continue to grow and adapt the sky is the limit for her. I am proud of Miah for all of the hard work that she has put in and I am looking forward to what she will do in the future."
Freshman midfielder Olivia Durham was selected to the C-USA Women's Soccer All-Freshman Team. Durham becomes just the seventh Golden Eagle in the history of the program to earn All-Freshman honors.
The Marietta, Ga. native has started 12 of the Golden Eagles' 17 matches this season, and has appeared in 16. She has played a total of 923 minutes over the course of the season. Durham's 12 starts, 16 appearances, and 923 minutes played are the most my any freshman on the Southern Miss roster this season.
Durham is currently tied with senior teammate Stephanie Garcia as Southern Miss' second leading goal scorer, after scoring a total of four goals so far in 2018. The freshman midfielder has also posted a total of eight points on the season.
El-Zare on Durham being named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team
"Olivia entered preseason as the fittest player on our roster as a true freshman. Her being able to start and compete in the number of matches that she has, and to play the amount of minutes that she has at a quality level has been a major contribution to the success of our team this season. I am really proud of Olivia for her effort, hard work, and willingness to adapt. Being willing to adapt is a prerequisite for an elite player and I believe that she is on the path to become an elite player. She shows up every day, works hard, goes about her business and is humble about it."
2018 C-USA Women's Soccer Superlative Awards Presented By Ready Nutrition
Offensive Player of the Year
Peyton DePriest, Middle Tennessee
Defensive Player of the Year
Dominique James, North Texas
Midfielder of the Year
Lianne Mananquil, Rice
Goalkeeper of the Year
Kelsey Daugherty, UAB
Freshman of the Year
Hannah Tillett, Middle Tennessee
Coach of the Year
Patrick Baker, Florida Atlantic
All-Conference USA First Team
GK: Kelsey Daugherty, UAB
D: Ebba Blomqvist, Florida Atlantic
D: Dominique James, North Texas
D: Ola Akinniyi, Southern Miss
MF: Lianne Mananquil, Rice
MF: Mary O'Hara, Florida Atlantic
MF: Hannah Tillett, Middle Tennessee
MF: Nomvula Kgoale, Louisiana Tech
F: Peyton DePriest, Middle Tennessee
F: Megan Greene, Charlotte
F: Ambere Barnett, WKU
All-Conference USA Second Team
GK: Jennifer Ocampo, Florida Atlantic
D: Sydney Navarro, Middle Tennessee
D: Riley Orr, Charlotte
D: Emily Roberts, Old Dominion
MF: Miah Zuazua, Southern Miss
MF: Nicole Roseland, WKU
MF: Sarah Gorham, WKU
F: Iris Achterhof, Old Dominion
F: Aaliyah Nolan, North Texas
F: Annie Walker, Rice
F: Marah Abu-Tayeh, Marshall
F: Kamilah Mustafa, UAB
All-Conference USA Third Team
GK: Kelsey Brann, North Texas
D: Carissa Sanders, North Texas
D: Ashley Seltzer, Marshall
D: Elizabeth Doll, Louisiana Tech
D: Alex Maxson, Florida Atlantic
MF: Erin Mikeska, Rice
MF: Amber Hoot, Middle Tennessee
MF: Carla Morich, Old Dominion
F: Taylor Torres, North Texas
F: Ellis Patterson, UTSA
F: Elisha Holmes, Florida Atlantic
F: Julia Grainda, Charlotte
F: Berklee Peters, North Texas
Conference USA All-Freshman Team
Ambere Barnett, F, WKU
Hannah Tillett, MF, Middle Tennessee
Hailey Landrus, D, Florida Atlantic
Kelsey Brann, GK, North Texas
Delaney Schultz, MF, Rice
Olivia Durham, MF, Southern Miss
Alexandra Augustyn, D, Louisiana Tech
Jojo Ngongo, F, UTEP
Sandra Geiselhart, MF, Charlotte
Lexi Bolton, F, UTSA
Kaydeen Jack, F, FIU
Players Mentioned
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