- The Covenant women's soccer team had four players earn All-USA South honors as the conference released its 2017 All-Conference awards on Thursday. Junior Rachel Lemay was named to the All-Conference first team and All-West Division first team, while senior Callie Bader, sophomore Addy Cronan, and freshman Kendyll Freeman were selected to the All-West Division first team.
Bader was also Covenant's representative on the All-Sportsmanship team.
All awards are voted on by the women's soccer coach at each institution.
The divisional team voting is completed only by those coaches in the particular division. The all-conference and individual award voting is completed by all coaches.
Lemay, a junior from Apopka, Fla., has been tremendous at the net all year for the Lady Scots. It is also the second straight year that Lemay has garnered both All-Conference and All-Division first team honors. This year, she has compiled a 10-4 record with a 0.65 goals against average, which ranks fifth in the USA South, with six complete shutouts and a .845 save percentage. Lemay was named USA South Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 11 after helping Covenant to three straight shutouts to begin the year. Her play has enabled the Lady Scots to 10 shutouts as a team on the year.
Bader, a senior from Washington, D.C., also collects her second straight All-West Division honor after being named to the second team last season. The defensive midfielder has also been a key to the Lady Scots' success this year on both the defensive and offensive ends. Her play in the midfield has helped Covenant to those 10 shutouts on the year, while offensively Bader has produced one goal and one assist.
A sophomore transfer from Knoxville, Tenn., Cronan picks up her first All-USA South honor and her second career all-conference award after being named to the All-SAA team at Berry as a freshman last year. Cronan leads the Lady Scots in every key offensive statistical category with 11 goals, seven assists, and 29 total points. Her goal total is tied for sixth in the USA South. Of her 11 scores, five have been game-winners and Cronan recorded her first career hat trick in a win over Wesleyan on Oct. 21.
Freeman, a freshman from Albany, Ga., garners her first career All-Conference honor. The center back has played and started in 15 matches on the year and been the anchor along the back line. Her play has also been instrumental in Covenant's 10 shutouts on the year and a team goals against average of 0.75.
Piedmont's Cassidy Reich was named the Player of the Year in the USA South, while Maryville freshman Bailey Sipos was the Rookie of the Year. Salem's Jay Callahan was voted Coach of the Year after leading the Spirits to an East Division title.
Covenant (11-6) will head to Demorest, Ga., on Saturday to take on No. 2 seed Piedmont in a USA South Tournament quarterfinal round match. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.