Dec. 3, 2015
NSCAA All-South Region Honorees
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – South Carolina forwards Savannah McCaskill and Raina Johnson and midfielders Chelsea Drennan and Stevi Parker were recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Thursday as they were named to its Division I Women’s All-South Region Teams.
McCaskill grabbed First-Team All-South Region honors after leading the Gamecocks in points (29) and goals (10) this season. The sophomore standout, who received First-Team All-SEC accolades in November, ranked third in the league and 56th nationally with 1.45 points per match. She tallied a career-best five points (2G, 1A) in South Carolina’s 6-0 win over Kennesaw State (Sept. 14), and the Irmo, S.C., native became just the third Gamecock over the last five years to reach double-digit goal totals in a season after netting her final score of the year against No. 8 Florida (Oct. 22).
Parker was named to the All-South Region Second Team after turning in another solid season in the South Carolina midfield. The senior, who was voted Team MVP last fall, helped the Gamecocks notch six shutouts on the year. She tallied one point this year, providing the assist on South Carolina’s game-winning goal against No. 4 Texas A&M (Sept. 24).
Johnson and Drennan each earned a spot on the All-South Region Third Team. Johnson finished second on South Carolina in points (18) and goals (6), and her six assists marked a career high. The senior led the Gamecocks with two game-winners, including the go-ahead goal in the 89th minute against the No. 4 Aggies. Her 11 career game-winners are tied for third in program history.
Drennan led South Carolina in assists (10) for the third-straight season and finished as one of three Gamecocks to notch double-digit points (12). Her 10 assists ranked third in the SEC and 14th among Division I players, and she totaled multiple assists in four matches this fall. Drennan, a junior who has played in every contest over the last three seasons, stands four assists away from the program record.
“Our program had another successful season, and a lot had to do with these four players leading our team,” women’s soccer coach Shelley Smith said. “Raina and Stevi have worked hard over the last four years to grow as players, and we are looking forward to seeing more great things from Savannah and Chelsea next year.”
South Carolina’s four honorees on Thursday matched Florida for the most among SEC schools. The Gamecocks posted a 12-5-3 overall record this season on the way to their eighth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last nine years.
