Three Lady Roadrunners earn postseason honors

Sophomore forward Ella Smith has been named First-Team All-Region 16. Smith was also named Player of the Year in the region. She is the first women's soccer student-athlete to earn the award. Freshman goalkeeper Valeria Morales was named to the Second Team along with sophomore defender Emily Ramirez. The awards are voted on by the coaches in Region 16.

Smith started and played in 15 games this season. Smith scored 24 goals during her sophomore campaign which placed her tied for sixth in the country in goals scored. Smith finished second in shots with 105. She also finished 11^th in the country in shots on goal with 52 and also finished 11^th in the country in points with 52.

"I know that Ella Smith is a talented player," said associate head soccer coach Roberto Tucker. "I knew that we could use her talent to force the other team to come to us and she could score a lot of goals. Ella is a difference maker in our program."

Morales started and played in 14 games as a freshman. Morales made 64 saves and had a .780 save percentage.

"Valeria is one of the best goalkeepers our region," said Tucker. "She is very brave when it comes to receiving balls inside the box. I was not surprised that she earned this honor."

Ramirez started and played in 15 games. Ramirez scored one goal against Southeastern Community College during her sophomore season while helping to anchor the SFCC defense.

"Emily was our only sophomore defender," said Tucker. "Throughout the season our defenders worked very hard to solidify our defense. She was one of our captains this year along with Ella."

This trio helped lead the team to a 8-6-1 record this season.

"Our entire team worked very hard to become a family," said Tucker. "I am very proud of all three of these student-athletes and all they have accomplished this season."

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics