Peach Belt Announces Women's Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The Peach Belt Conference has announced its first-ever Women's Soccer Preseason All-Conference team as voted on by the league's Sports Information Directors. 11 players were named to the team including four from Columbus State, three from Armstrong Atlantic State, two from Clayton State and one each for USC Aiken and North Georgia.

Columbus State had a stellar season in 2006 thanks in large part to the four players named Preseason All-Conference. Monica Sanchez begins her junior year in goal after being named All-Conference for the past two seasons. She led the PBC last year with a 0.61 goals against average and also had six shutouts. At forward, Gina Goforth led the team with 28 total points as a freshman in 2006 and was named All-Conference and the PBC Tournament MVP. In the midfield, Sarah Hawkins became the school's first All-American in 2006. Now beginning her junior season, she had eight goals and four assists last season. On defense, senior Megan Honig was named All-Conference last year for the second straight time. She helped lead a defense that led the Peach Belt with a 0.57 goals against average.

Armstrong Atlantic State's Kristin Burton became only the second player in PBC history to be named both the Player of the Year and the Freshman of the Year in 2006. She led the PBC with 19 goals and 45 points in 2006 and is now on the preseason All-Conference team at forward. Also at forward for AASU is Lyndsi Stricklen, who begins her junior season after scoring five goals and leading the PBC with 12 assists. Jamie Craine makes the team at midfield for the Pirates. Starting her junior season, Craine had six goals and five assists a year ago.

Olaitan Yusuf begins her senior season at Clayton State with the opportunity to become the PBC's all-time leader in goals and points. After being slowed by injuries last year, the 2005 PBC Player of the Year needs only two goals and 10 points to become the league's all-time leader in both categories. Also on the preseason team for Clayton State is Loretta Ashu on defense. Ashu was the key part of a Laker defense that allowed only four goals in the team's final 10 games.

After a surprising run in 2006, USC Aiken is beginning to reap the rewards starting with Lindsey Mann's preseason All-Conference selection. Mann was named All-Conference as a freshman last season and helped the Lady Pacer defense to six shutouts.

North Georgia's Brittany Bruner was named PBC All-Conference in 2006 in the midfield. Now beginning her senior season for the Lady Saints, Bruner scored a goal with one assist despite spending much of her time in the defensive midfield where she helped the team record six shutouts.

2007 Peach Belt Conference Women's Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team

Forwards
Kristin Burton, Armstrong Atlantic State
Gina Goforth, Columbus State
Lyndsi Stricklen, Armstrong Atlantic State
Olaitan Yusuf, Clayton State

Goalkeeper
Monica Sanchez, Columbus State

Midfielders
Brittany Bruner, North Georgia
Jamie Craine, Armstrong Atlantic State
Sarah Hawkins, Columbus State

Defenders
Loretta Ashu, Clayton State
Megan Honig, Columbus State
Lindsey Mann, USC Aiken