March 31, 2014
COLUMBIA, S.C. – After one of the most successful season’s in South Carolina history, finishing No. 15 in the NSCAA’s final rankings, the women’s soccer team hosted its annual team banquet to celebrate what the team had achieved. What they had accomplished was the second-best record in school history at 17-4-2, the only undefeated home record in program history at 11-0-0, and the team’s sixth NCAA appearance in the last seven years.
“We wanted to take a night to celebrate the season, not just because of the accomplishments on the field, but it was a special group and we wanted to make sure they had another chance to get together and honor all that they had done during the season, and honor the seniors for what they brought the past few years,” head coach Shelley Smith said.
As voted on by their teammates, a total of five awards were handed out, which included Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Teammate of the Year and the Most Valuable Player.
Due to her attitude and relentless work rate in the midfield playing from box-to-box, Stevi Parker was awarded as the team’s Most Valuable Player. The sophomore from Perkasie, Pa., was fourth on the team in minutes played with 1,853 tallied while starting all but one game, and tallied six points on three goals during the year.
Scoring only one goal a season ago, sophomore Raina Johnson had a breakout season that led to a team-high 21 points and 10 goals as she was named Offensive Player of the Year. The scoring output for the Charlotte, N.C native was one the best in school history as she the 10 goals ranked as the eighth most in a season, while her five game-winners rank as the third most.
A rock in the middle of one of the nation’s top defenses, Andie Romness did not get the recognition in the conference, but work-rate didn’t go unnoticed as her she was named Defensive Player of the Year. The junior started every game this year, accumulating 1,930 minutes on the field, the third most on the team. She also added three assists, with one coming on a game-winning goal.
After recording one of the best freshman season’s in program history, Chelsea Drennan was awarded Rookie of the Year. The midfielder from Anderson, S.C., turned in the second-best single-season assist total ever at South Carolina with 12, one shy of the school record. The total though was five tallies ahead of the previous freshman record, which she passed in mid-October. The SEC All-Freshman Team selection finished the year ranked No. 11 nationally in assists while leading the SEC in the category.
Teammate of the Year was a split-decision as it went to seniors Gabrielle Gilbert and Elizabeth Sinclair. Gilbert was the team’s most versatile player during her career, playing all three positions. This year was no different as she went where the coaches need her to as she played in every game, recording 973 minutes. She scored two goals and tallied one assist. A co-captain, Sinclair has been a workhorse throughout her career and she continued that this season, averaging just over 88 minutes per game, while recording three assists, two which came on game-winning goals.
Team Awards:
Offensive Player of the Year – Raina Johnson
Defensive Player of the Year – Andie Romness
Rookie of the Year – Chelsea Drennan
Teammate of the Year – Elizabeth Sinclair and Gabrielle Gilbert
Overall Season MVP – Stevi Parker
