BIRMINGHAM – UAB took home two superlative awards and had a league-best six student-athletes named to the all-conference teams as Conference USA announced its postseason awards and teams today.
Head coach Erica Demers was named Conference USA Coach of the Year for the first time in her career. Demers finished the season 9-3-5 and put together a program record 10-match unbeaten streak from Sept. 4 to Oct. 16. Additionally, her C-USA record of 6-1-3 marks the first time in school history the Blazers only had one loss in conference play.
Demers is the first C-USA Coach of the Year for UAB since Paul Harbin took home the honor in 2004.
On August 17, Conference USA announced that Asha Zuniga was named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. This held true as she was named league’s Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the All-Conference First Team. Additionally, she was Defensive Player of the Week Aug. 23, Sept. 20 and Oct. 18 as well as a First Team All-Academic selection. The captain is tied for first in C-USA with three game-winning goals while anchoring a backline that had a GAA of 1.00 overall and 0.40 in C-USA play.
Eve Beyer, the Goalkeeper of the Week on Oct. 4, was named All-Conference Second Team. Beyer leads the league in GAA (0.55), save percentage (.833) and shutouts (8). She ranks 17th, 45th and 25th in the NCAA in those categories, respectively.
After finishing sixth best in C-USA and a first on UAB with five assists, Jessica Wheeler was named All-Conference Second Team. She also had back-to-back game-winning goals against Samford and Middle Tennessee and set up the GWG against UTEP.
Carlyn Presley earned a spot on the All-Conference Second Team after putting together a season that saw her score six times, tying her for the team lead and fifth in C-USA. She also added a pair of assists for 14 points, also trying her for most on the Blazers and seventh in C-USA. Additionally, Presley was a Second Team All-Academic selection.
A year after taking home All-Freshman Team honors, Kendall Page was selected All-Conference Second Team. She helped produce nine shutouts and is one of five Blazers to start every game this season.
Freshman Stella Lawson was named All-Conference Third Team as well as to the All-Freshman Team. She scored six goals, including a hat trick against Kennesaw State. Her 14 points is tied for the team lead with Presley.
UAB, the 3-seed will face UTSA, the 6-seed in the quarterfinal round of the 2022 Conference USA Women’s Soccer Championship on Nov. 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (ET)/ 12:30 p.m. (CT).
Purchase the 2022-23 Gold Card for $65 here. The 2022-23 Gold Card will get you access to all home events for Women’s Soccer, Men’s Soccer, Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Softball, and Baseball (Regions Field & Young Memorial). This card is not valid for Conference USA or NCAA Championship events.
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