NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion’s Jessie Klamut (Sr./Virginia Beach, Va.) and Natalie Johnson (Fr./New Bern, N.C.) were named to the 2014 Conference USA Third Team, while Madison Hogan (Fr./Williamstown, N.J.) earned All-Freshman Team honors.
JESSIE KLAMUT (Third Team All Conference)
As captain of the Lady Monarchs, Klamut finished second on the team in points (12), led the team in game-winners (2) and tied for first in assists (2). Klamut was second in the C-USA for shots per game and third in total shots. Jessie is a tremendous athlete, who continually caused opposing defenses problems rather ODU operated from a two-front or lone striker formation. Klamut scored a variety of goals (distance, 1 on 1, set pieces, rebounds, etc.) throughout the season.
NATALIE JOHNSON (Third Team All Conference)
Old Dominion head coach Angie Hind said, “Natalie is hands down the best player in the air in Conference USA due to her great presence, strength, speed and timing (tackles).” As a true freshman, Johnson started every match but two (due to injury) and despite not scoring any goals this season, she nailed the crossbar on numerous different occasions. “Johnson is fearless on defense and has played her best when going against the conference’s top strikers,” exclaimed Hind.
MADISON HOGAN (All Freshman Team)
Hogan led ODU in points with 14 (9th in C-USA) off a team-leading six goals (3rd in C-USA and 3rd in the conference for goals per game at 0.57) and a team-leading two assists, which was good for an average of 1.29 points per contest (5th in C-USA). Hind said, “Madison is the most improved player on the team, as she has developed from a wide player to a central striker with one of the highest work rates I’ve ever seen.” Hogan has scored very important goals this year (1 GW & three equalizers) and is extremely tenacious as she represented the first line of defense for the Lady Monarchs.
Conference USA Release
After finishing the regular season as the top scorer in the conference, Rice junior forward Lauren Hughes was voted the Offensive Player of the Year by the 14 league coaches. Teammate Quinny Truong was the Midfielder of the Year, while Florida Atlantic's Olivia MBala claimed the Defensive Player of the Year award after anchoring the FAU backline. Charlotte forward Martha Thomas netted 11 goals in her debut season to be named Freshman of the Year.
Rice head coach Nicky Adams was tabbed Coach of the Year after leading the Owls to an 11-3-3 overall record and a 7-2-1 mark in conference play. Rice put together an impressive nine-match unbeaten streak, posting a 7-0-2 record during that time, to help the Owls claim the No. 2 seed in the upcoming C-USA Championship.
The striker pair of Holly Hargreaves and Hughes was a big part of the team's success as the two landed on the First Team All-Conference team. Hughes led the league with 31 points and 12 goals to go along with seven assists, while Hargreaves chipped in with 23 points and 10 goals of her own. Truong joins them on the first team for the second-consecutive year for the trio.
MBala anchored a Florida Atlantic defense that ranked fourth in C-USA in goals allowed per match at 0.98. The Owls gave up multiple goals just twice in conference action and shutout top-seeded North Texas for its only C-USA loss. The redshirt-senior also got involved on the offensive end by recording three goals, including the game-winner at intrastate foe Miami.
Regular season champions North Texas landed two on the first team, with forward Rachel Holden and midfielder Karla Pineda being selected. Pineda guided the Mean Green to its first C-USA title with 29 points on 11 goals and seven assists. The junior was especially dangerous from set plays, tallying eight scores and three helpers from set pieces.
Tying Rice for the most players on the first team was UTEP, with goalkeeper Sarah Dilling, defender Hannah Asuchak and midfielder Aleah Davis making the squad. Senior netminder Dilling ranked second in goals-against average (0.56) in C-USA matches and third in save percentage (.889). Davis notched five goals overall on the season and a team-high three in league play.
Charlotte redshirt-senior defender Taylor Dulaney and Marshall junior midfielder Kelly Culicerto rounded out the All-Conference First Team. Culicerto posted new career highs in points (18) and goals (8), while Dulaney started in all 16 matches for a backline that posted six shutouts in 2014.
This year's tournament begins Wednesday, Nov. 5, in Charlotte, North Carolina, with quarterfinal matches at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. EST. The championship is set for Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. EST and will be aired live on Fox Sports Network. The first two days will be streamed through the C-USA Digital Network. Conference USA's official website, www.ConferenceUSA.com, will provide updates, box scores and recaps from all seven matches. There will also be updates on Conference USA's official Facebook page and Twitter account @Conference_USA.
A complete list of the three all-conference team selections, the all-freshman team and the specialty award winners for 2014 follows:
Offensive Player of the Year – Lauren Hughes, Rice
Defensive Player of the Year – Olivia MBala, Florida Atlantic
Midfielder of the Year – Quinny Truong, Rice
Freshman of the Year – Martha Thomas, Charlotte
Coach of the Year – Nicky Adams, Rice
First Team All-Conference:
F: Holly Hargreaves, Rice
F: Rachel Holden, North Texas
F: Lauren Hughes, Rice
MF: Kelly Culicerto, Marshhall
MF: Aleah Davis, UTEP
MF: Karla Pineda, North Texas
MF: Quinny Truong
D: Hannah Asuchak, UTEP
D: Taylor Dulaney, Charlotte
D: Olivia MBala, Florida Atlantic
GK: Sarah Dilling, UTEP
Second Team All-Conference
F: Claire Emslie, Florida Atlantic
F: Chelsea Leiva, FIU
F: Kathryn Sloan, Louisiana Tech
F: Martha Thomas, Charlotte
MF: Sydney Arnold, Marshall
MF: Amanda Jones, Charlotte
MF: Morgan Key-Adams
D: Mary Catherine Combs, UAB
D: Jenny Fichera, Rice
D: Marie Egan, FIU
GK: Jackie Kerestine, North Texas
Third Team All-Conference
F: Angela Cutaia, UTEP
F: Jessie Klamut, Old Dominion
F: Ashleigh Shim, FIU
F: Grace Summers, Middle Tennessee
MF: Angie Lai, Middle Tennessee
MF: Donya Salomon-Ali, Louisiana Tech
MF: Sara Trexler, Charlotte
D: Casey Adkins, Southern Miss
D: Ashton Geisendorff, Rice
D: Natalie Johnson, Old Dominion
GK: Amy Czyz, Rice
All-Freshman Team
Martha Thomas, F, Charlotte
Nevena Stojakovic, GK, FIU
Asta Arnadottir, MF, Florida Atlantic
Hildur Hauksdottir, MF, Florida Atlantic
Peyton McCollum, F, Middle Tennessee
Madison Hogan, F, Old Dominion
Samantha Chaiken, MF, Rice
Mary Claire Danilevics, D, Rice
Amy Brewer, D, UAB
Sydney Rapp, D, UTEP
Allison Leone, GK, WKU