University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Ariel Diaz Named C-USA Offensive Player of the Year; Four Other Earn League Honors
4/12/2021 2:44:00 PM | Women's Soccer
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss women's soccer claimed four All-Conference awards and one All-Freshman honor. The Golden Eagles finished the regular season 6-3-0, 4-2-0 C-USA, and ready for the C-USA Championship.
The Golden Eagles concluded the regular season undefeated at home with the best winning percentage in program history.
Ariel Diaz; C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and All-Conference First Team
Senior forward Ariel Diaz is named the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year marking the first time the award has been received by a Golden Eagles in program history. The Lubbock, Texas native was also tabbed to the All-C-USA First Team. Diaz receives each honor for the first time in her career. She led the Golden Eagle offense this season with five goals, ten points and three game-winning goals. The two-year Golden Eagle was named to the 2019 All-C-USA Third Team in her first year at Southern Miss. Diaz finishes the regular season a two-time Offensive Player of the Week, a C-USA All-Conference First Team select and the C-USA Conference Player of the Year.
Ariel Diaz on being named the Offensive Player of the Year
"I am honored to have been selected for this award," said Ariel Diaz. "I have worked hard to be the best for myself and my team, and to have the hard work pay off in not only making the tournament but being recognized in such a high esteem from the coaches in C-USA is an amazing feeling."
Jenny Caracheo; C-USA All-Conference Second Team
Senior midfielder Jenny Caracheo was tabbed to the C-USA All-Conference Second Team after an outstanding season with the Golden Eagles. This is not the first time in the spotlight for Caracheo as she was named to the 2019 All-C-USA Third Team and the 2018 All-Tournament Team. She scored two goals this season one of which was a game-winner. Caracheo helped to defeat South Alabama in the home opener finding the back of the net and leading the Golden Eagles to a 1-0 in Hattiesburg.
Macie Pennington; C-USA All-Conference Third Team
Senior defender Macie Pennington is honored for her performance this season being selected to the All Third Team. Pennington started all nine games of her senior season and served as a corner stone on the team's backline assisting in two shutouts. She is one of six Golden Eagles to record 700+ minutes on the field and limited the opposition to a .482 shot on goal percentage.
Caitlin Pierce; C-USA All-Conference Third Team
Senior defender Caitlin Pierce is tabbed to the All-C-USA third team for her accomplishments on the field. Pierce began the 2021 season being named a C-USA Women's Soccer Preseason All-Conference select. She is a two-time Defensive Player of the Week and in 2019 was named to the C-USA All-Conference Second Team. Pierce took four shots on goal this season finding the back of the net twice. She led the Golden Eagles to defeat C-USA powerhouse North Texas previously this season.
Blessing Kingsley; C-USA All-Freshman Team
Freshman midfielder Blessing Kingsley claims the first award of her career as a Golden Eagles being named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team. Kingsley facilitated offensive opportunity for Southern Miss this season playing 700+ minutes and creating scoring opportunities for the Golden Eagles. Kingsley played a tremendous role in the team's offensive efficiency this season.
Next for the Golden Eagles
The Golden Eagles enter post season play facing off against FAU Tuesday, April 13 at 4:00 p.m. CT in Houston, Texas in the C-USA Championship. The Golden Eagles contend in post season play for the first time since 2018.
For all of the latest Southern Miss soccer news, fans can follow the official Southern Miss soccer Twitter account (@SouthernMissSoc), Instagram account (@southernmisssoccer) and Facebook account (Southern Miss Soccer).
The Golden Eagles concluded the regular season undefeated at home with the best winning percentage in program history.
Ariel Diaz; C-USA Offensive Player of the Year and All-Conference First Team
Senior forward Ariel Diaz is named the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year marking the first time the award has been received by a Golden Eagles in program history. The Lubbock, Texas native was also tabbed to the All-C-USA First Team. Diaz receives each honor for the first time in her career. She led the Golden Eagle offense this season with five goals, ten points and three game-winning goals. The two-year Golden Eagle was named to the 2019 All-C-USA Third Team in her first year at Southern Miss. Diaz finishes the regular season a two-time Offensive Player of the Week, a C-USA All-Conference First Team select and the C-USA Conference Player of the Year.
Ariel Diaz on being named the Offensive Player of the Year
"I am honored to have been selected for this award," said Ariel Diaz. "I have worked hard to be the best for myself and my team, and to have the hard work pay off in not only making the tournament but being recognized in such a high esteem from the coaches in C-USA is an amazing feeling."
Jenny Caracheo; C-USA All-Conference Second Team
Senior midfielder Jenny Caracheo was tabbed to the C-USA All-Conference Second Team after an outstanding season with the Golden Eagles. This is not the first time in the spotlight for Caracheo as she was named to the 2019 All-C-USA Third Team and the 2018 All-Tournament Team. She scored two goals this season one of which was a game-winner. Caracheo helped to defeat South Alabama in the home opener finding the back of the net and leading the Golden Eagles to a 1-0 in Hattiesburg.
Macie Pennington; C-USA All-Conference Third Team
Senior defender Macie Pennington is honored for her performance this season being selected to the All Third Team. Pennington started all nine games of her senior season and served as a corner stone on the team's backline assisting in two shutouts. She is one of six Golden Eagles to record 700+ minutes on the field and limited the opposition to a .482 shot on goal percentage.
Caitlin Pierce; C-USA All-Conference Third Team
Senior defender Caitlin Pierce is tabbed to the All-C-USA third team for her accomplishments on the field. Pierce began the 2021 season being named a C-USA Women's Soccer Preseason All-Conference select. She is a two-time Defensive Player of the Week and in 2019 was named to the C-USA All-Conference Second Team. Pierce took four shots on goal this season finding the back of the net twice. She led the Golden Eagles to defeat C-USA powerhouse North Texas previously this season.
Blessing Kingsley; C-USA All-Freshman Team
Freshman midfielder Blessing Kingsley claims the first award of her career as a Golden Eagles being named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team. Kingsley facilitated offensive opportunity for Southern Miss this season playing 700+ minutes and creating scoring opportunities for the Golden Eagles. Kingsley played a tremendous role in the team's offensive efficiency this season.
Next for the Golden Eagles
The Golden Eagles enter post season play facing off against FAU Tuesday, April 13 at 4:00 p.m. CT in Houston, Texas in the C-USA Championship. The Golden Eagles contend in post season play for the first time since 2018.
For all of the latest Southern Miss soccer news, fans can follow the official Southern Miss soccer Twitter account (@SouthernMissSoc), Instagram account (@southernmisssoccer) and Facebook account (Southern Miss Soccer).
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