BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The SWAC released its 2021 Preseason All-SWAC Soccer team and individual award winners as voted by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors on Wednesday.
Grambling State forward Kailey Pena was highlighted as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Alabama A&M’s Jodi Medina was named Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year, while Prairie View A&M’s Andrea Nugent was tabbed Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
GSU led all teams with seven total selections. Prairie View A&M was next with five, while Alabama A&M and Arkansas-Pine Bluff tied with three selections each. Jackson State picked up two selections and Alabama State and Texas Southern each picked up one preseason selection.
Pena, who placed second in the NCAA for goals scored (15), finished first in the conference for goals per game (1.36), points (28), shots (43), shots per game (3.9), shots on goal (31), and tied first place for game-winning goals (4).
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In eight games played, Medina tallied 40 saves leading the conference with a .851 saving average. Additionally, she ranked second in the conference with a .863 goals-against average.
Nugent played on a Lady Panthers team that allowed just 1.024 goals per game while ranking in the conference’s top 10 for shots (20).
The Southwestern Athletic Conference will announce the 2021 SWAC Women’s Soccer Predicted Order of Finish on Thursday, August 12.
A full listing of the preseason selections can be found below.
Preseason First Team All-SWAC
Forward: Kailey Pena- Grambling State
Forward: Annalise Brunson- Jackson State
Forward: Iyannah Hicks- Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Midfielder: Makayla Rushing- Alabama A&M
Midfielder: Haylee O’Leary- Grambling State
Midfielder: Jovanna Bernal- Prairie View A&M
Midfielder: Kaydeen Jack- Grambling State
Defender: Andrea Nugent- Prairie View A&M
Defender: D’Sanye Nugent- Prairie View A&M
Defender: Kamaron Powell- Grambling State
Goalkeeper: Jodi Medina- Alabama A&M
Preseason Second Team All-SWAC
Forward: McKenna Wiscombe- Alabama State
Forward: Jameela Barrett- Alabama A&M
Forward: Ashley Chala- Prairie View A&M
Midfielder: Brynn Walker- Jackson State
Midfielder: Paula Burillo-Blasco- Grambling State
Midfielder: Lauren Hermosa- Prairie View A&M
Midfielder: Cameron Rodriguez- Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Defender: Mackenzie Rastatter- Grambling State
Defender: Lindsay Jaiyesimi- Grambling State
Defender: Evangelia Sandoval-Belmudez- Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Goalkeeper: Oriana Palacios- Texas Southern
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Kailey Pena- Grambling State
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Andrea Nugent- Prairie View A&M
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Jodi Medina- Alabama A&M
Courtesy: SWAC
