Ragin’ Cajuns Picked Second In SBC; Three Named To Preseason All-Conference Team

NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns soccer team was tabbed second in the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Poll in addition to having a league-high three players selected to the preseason all-conference team, voted on by the league's 10 head coaches.

The Ragin' Cajuns received 81 points and one first-place vote behind 2013 SBC Tournament champion South Alabama, who was picked to finish first with 98 points and nine first-place votes. Georgia State (73 pts), Texas State (67) and SBC newcomer Appalachian State (59) rounded out the top five.

"I'm happy for the girls," said head coach Scot Wieland. "For the first time, we have three players on the first team. Now, they have to live up to it. Our expectation is no less than winning. The conference is going to be tough. Every team is going to have to show up and bring their A game. Our goal is to win the conference. We feel being second is good recognition as well. We're ready to get to work."

Senior defender and reigning SBC Defensive Player of the Year Grace Howell-Harries highlighted Louisiana's preseason accolades, earning SBC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors. Sophomore forwards Yazmin Montoya and Annika Schmidt joined Howell-Harries on the SBC Preseason All-Conference Team. South Alabama, Georgia State, Texas State and Arkansas State each placed two players on the all-conference team alongside the trio of Cajuns.

A two-time all-conference selection from London, Ontario, Canada, Howell-Harries has played every minute for the Ragin' Cajuns the last two seasons, and helped the squad hold opponents to 1.39 goals per game to garner NSCAA All-South Region Second Team honors in 2013.

"For four years, Grace has been the rock of our defense," Wieland said. "She's earned it in conference. After her freshman year, she made all-conference second team. She's well deserving of preseason defensive player of the year, coming off player of the year last year."

A native of West Covina, California, Montoya rewrote the record books last season, setting single-season records in goals (13), points (31), shots (86) and shots on goal (38). An All-SBC First Team selection in 2013, Montoya led the league in goals scored and points during conference play, totaling 20 points against SBC foes.

Schmidt joined Montoya in forming a dangerous offensive threat for Louisiana in 2013. A native of Nufringen, Germany, Schmidt became the fastest player in Louisiana history to reach 20 points, doing so in just 10 matches. She also holds the title of being the only Ragin' Cajun to record multiple hat tricks. Schmidt started all 18 matches for Louisiana last season, and earned NSCAA All-South Region Third Team accolades and All-SBC Second Team honors.

"For Yazmin and Annika, their freshman campaigns proved their worth," Wieland said. "Just like the team's got to work, these three have to keep working hard and raising their level because it's not going to get easier."

Louisiana returns 17 letterwinners following its best season in program history in 2013. The Ragin' Cajuns went 8-7-3 with a 5-2-1 mark in SBC play to tie for second in the league, finishing just one goal from a regular season title.

After a 1-0 exhibition win over Southern Miss last week, the Ragin' Cajuns open the 2014 season on the road Friday in a 6:30 p.m. match against Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas.

SBC Preseason All-Conference Team
*Loren Mitchell (Arkansas State, Junior, Forward)
*Ashley Nagy (Georgia State, Junior, Forward)
**Annika Schmidt (Louisiana, Sophomore, Forward)
**Lynsey Curry (Texas State, Junior, Forward)
*Yazmin Montoya (Louisiana, Sophomore, Forward)
Samhia Simao (Arkansas State, Senior, Midfielder)
Monique Autmon (South Alabama, Sophomore, Midfielder)
*Grace Howell-Harries (Louisiana, Senior, Defender)
Nini Rabsatt-Smith (South Alabama, Junior, Defender)
Brenna Smith (Texas State, Senior, Defender)
Brie Haynes (Georgia State, Sophomore, Goalkeeper)
* - denotes 2013 First-Team All-Conference | ** - denotes 2013 Second-Team All-Conference

SBC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Ashley Nagy (Georgia State, Junior, Forward)

SBC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Grace Howell-Harries (Louisiana, Senior, Defender)

2014 Sun Belt Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Poll (first-place votes in parentheses)
1. South Alabama (9) - 98 pts
2. Louisiana (1) - 81pts
3. Georgia State - 73pts
4. Texas State - 67pts
5. Appalachian State - 59pts
6. Arkansas State - 54pts
7. Troy - 46pts
8. Georgia Southern - 30pts
9. UALR - 26pts
10. UL Monroe - 16pts

-- RaginCajuns.com --

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics

Ragin’ Cajuns Picked Second In SBC; Three Named To Preseason All-Conference Team

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