Smith will look to lead young Lady Saints' team in 2008

AUGUSTA, GA - The Peach Belt Conference has released the 11-member women’s soccer preseason All-Conference team as selected by the league’s sports information directors. Sophomore Casey Smith was named to the team after finishing 24th in the nation in assists just a year ago.

North Georgia midfielder Casey Smith was named to the All-Region team after her freshman year in 2007. Now a sophomore, Smith had two goals and nine assists for the Saints as she started 17 games. Her nine assists was second-most in the PBC.

For the Lady Cougars, three of the four preseason selections were also named All-Conference following the 2007 season. Goalkeeper Monica Sanchez led the PBC with a .056 GAA last season as the team went 20-3-2 and advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals. Forward Stephanie Parrish was named the Freshman of the Year last year after scoring 17 goals while Sarah Hawkins was named an All-American defender while scoring four goals with five assists. Kellie Myles was also a part of that defense that allowed a league-low 14 goals.

Armstrong Atlantic State is led by two-time All-American Kristin Burton who, entering her junior year, is already fourth on the PBC’s all-time goals scored list with 42 in her career. Burton scored 23 last year as a sophomore to lead the league. Lyndsi Stricklen was also named All-Conference in ‘07 in the midfield with nine goals and four assists as a sophomore while Alyssa Anderson, also All-Conference last season, anchored the Pirate defense that allowed only 20 goals in 20 games.

Georgia College & State University’s Morgan Cobb and Hayley Ferrell were also named All-Conference in 2007. Cobb was also named All-Tournament and All-Region in the defense where she helped the Lady Bobcats set a school record with only 17 goals allowed. On offense, Ferrell set a school record with 34 points and 16 goals in 2007 to earn her second All-Conference honor.

Lander’s Jannica Finnberg returns for her senior season after being named All-Conference for the second time in 2007. Finnberg led the Bearcats with 10 goals and was third in the PBC with eight assists. Her 28 points was sixth in the conference last season.

2008 Peach Belt Conference
Women’s Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team

Forwards
Kristin Burton, Armstrong Atlantic State
Hayley Ferrell, GCSU
Jannica Finnberg, Lander
Stephanie Parrish, Columbus State

Goalkeeper
Monica Sanchez, Columbus State

Midfielders
Kellie Myles, Columbus State
Casey Smith, North Georgia
Lyndsi Stricklen, Armstrong Atlantic State

Defenders
Alyssa Anderson, Armstrong Atlantic State
Morgan Cobb, GCSU
Sarah Hawkins, Columbus State