BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Texas Southern University saw four of its soccer players recognized by the Southwestern Athletic Conference when the league announced its postseason awards Wednesday.
The Lady Tigers placed two players – midfielder Kayla Smith and defender Briana Norwood – on the all-SWAC First Team, while senior striker Paige Hayward was named to the Second Team. First-year goalkeeper Tammy Syron was named the league's Freshman of the Year.
Norwood was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Week three times this season. TSU's strongest throw-in specialist, the junior from San Antonio ranks sixth in the SWAC – and leads all defensive players – with four assists.
A sophomore from La Mirada, Calif., Smith tied for the team lead and ranks fourth in the SWAC with five assists. Smith also ranked second in the league in assists and assists per match in conference play.
Hayward was named to the all-SWAC Second Team for the second consecutive season after leading TSU with eight goals and 18 points. She ranked fourth in the SWAC in goals scored despite being double-teamed for most of conference play.
A native of Earlwood, New South Wales, Australia, Hayward became tied TSU's all-time goals record and became the school's all-time leader in points with a three-goal, one-assist performance against Mississippi Valley State in her last home match on Oct. 15. She became the school's all-time leader in assists in 2016.
Syron won five matches – including four shutouts – after being named the team's starting goalkeeper. She led the conference in both goals-against average (1.05 GAA) and save percentage (.793). With Syron and Norwood anchoring the backfield, the Lady Tigers allowed 1.22 goals per game, which ranked second in the conference.
The Lady Tigers open the SWAC Tournament on Thursday with a match against in-state rival Prairie View A&M. Match time is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. in Prairie View.
To view the complete all-SWAC teams and award winners, click here.
Courtesy: TSU Athletics
The Lady Tigers placed two players – midfielder Kayla Smith and defender Briana Norwood – on the all-SWAC First Team, while senior striker Paige Hayward was named to the Second Team. First-year goalkeeper Tammy Syron was named the league's Freshman of the Year.
Norwood was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Week three times this season. TSU's strongest throw-in specialist, the junior from San Antonio ranks sixth in the SWAC – and leads all defensive players – with four assists.
A sophomore from La Mirada, Calif., Smith tied for the team lead and ranks fourth in the SWAC with five assists. Smith also ranked second in the league in assists and assists per match in conference play.
Hayward was named to the all-SWAC Second Team for the second consecutive season after leading TSU with eight goals and 18 points. She ranked fourth in the SWAC in goals scored despite being double-teamed for most of conference play.
A native of Earlwood, New South Wales, Australia, Hayward became tied TSU's all-time goals record and became the school's all-time leader in points with a three-goal, one-assist performance against Mississippi Valley State in her last home match on Oct. 15. She became the school's all-time leader in assists in 2016.
Syron won five matches – including four shutouts – after being named the team's starting goalkeeper. She led the conference in both goals-against average (1.05 GAA) and save percentage (.793). With Syron and Norwood anchoring the backfield, the Lady Tigers allowed 1.22 goals per game, which ranked second in the conference.
The Lady Tigers open the SWAC Tournament on Thursday with a match against in-state rival Prairie View A&M. Match time is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. in Prairie View.
To view the complete all-SWAC teams and award winners, click here.
Courtesy: TSU Athletics