December 21, 2009

DAHLONEGA, GA – The North Georgia women’s soccer team continues to bring in postseason accolades as Casey Smith garners All-Region and All-American honors, while freshman Kelly Penston was named All-Region following the 2009 season.

On the heels of earning her third straight Peach Belt All-Conference award last month, Smith was named First-Team All-Southeast Region by the National Soccer Coaches of America and First-Team All-Region by Daktronics, before being named to the 2009 NSCAA Division II All-America Team.

She was named the PBC Defensive Player of the Week on four different occasions this season, more than any other player in the league as the junior was second in the conference with nine assists, and second in the PBC in assists per game at 0.53.

Smith played in all 17 games for the Lady Saints, starting 16 of those and logging 1316 minutes of action. She had six goals and nine assists for 21 points, while recording one game-winning goal. The Stockbridge, Ga., native had 25 shots, with 14 shots on goal for a .560 shots on goal percentage.

Not to be outdone, true freshman Kelly Penston made her mark in the awards as well, earning NSCAA Third-Team All-Region honors after being named First-Team Peach Belt All-Conference last month. Penston played and started in all 17 games for the Lady Saints in 2009, while tallying six goals and four assists for 16 total points. The Lawrenceville, Ga., native recorded 1297 minutes of action, while picking up a game-winning goal and attempting 27 shots, with 16 of those on goal for a .593 shot on goal percentage.

North Georgia recorded their best season ever in 2009, finishing the year 10-5-2 overall and 6-3-1 in the Peach Belt Conference. The Lady Saints posted a six-game winning streak during the season and received votes in back-to-back weeks to be ranked in the NCAA Division II top 25 poll.