Women's Soccer | 8/16/2016 1:43:00 PM

STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern senior forward Jennifer Wittick of the women's soccer team was named to the Sun Belt preseason All-Conference team, the league announced Tuesday, Aug 16.

Last season, Wittick held a team-high 11 goals, which tied for second in the Sun Belt. She also tied for third in the conference with goals per game (0.58) and was ranked sixth in points with 23. She led the Eagles in shots on goal (27) and tied for second for game-winning goals with one.

Wittick has totaled 18 goals in her career, along with 38 points. She started all 19 games for the Eagles last season.

Georgia Southern played exhibition games against Jacksonville University and University of Georgia last week, beating the Dolphins 2-1 and tying the Bulldogs 1-1. The team begins its regular season play at home on Friday at 7 p.m. against UNC Wilmington.
 
2016 Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference Team
Jennifer Wittick (Georgia Southern, Senior, Forward)
Yazmin Montoya (UL Lafayette, Senior, Forward)
* Chardé Hannah (South Alabama, Junior, Forward)
** Lauren Prater (Texas State, Senior, Forward)
** Caitlyn Eddy (Little Rock, Sophomore, Midfielder)
* Suzanne Arafa (Georgia State, Senior, Midfielder)
* Danielle Henley (South Alabama, Junior, Midfielder)
* Lindsey Tully (Appalachian State, Junior, Defender)
* Steffi Hardy (South Alabama, Junior, Defender)
** Jemma Purfield (South Alabama, Sophomore, Defender)
* Mikki Lewis (Troy, Junior, Goalkeeper)
 
* -  denotes 2015 First-Team All-Conference | ** denotes 2015 Second-Team All-Conference
 
2016 Sun Belt Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year
Chardé Hannah (South Alabama, Sophomore, Forward)
Lauren Prater (Texas State, Senior, Forward)
 
2016 Sun Belt Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Steffi Hardy (South Alabama, Junior, Defender)
 
2016 Sun Belt Women's Soccer Preseason Poll (first-place votes in parentheses)
1. South Alabama (10) - 120 pts
2. Troy - 102 pts
3. Coastal Carolina - 86 pts
4. Appalachian State - 81 pts
5. Little Rock - 77 pts
6. Texas State - 76 pts
7. Georgia Southern - 53 pts
8. Georgia State - 49 pts
9. UL Lafayette (1) - 46 pts
10. Arkansas State - 20 pts
11. UL Monroe - 16 pts
 
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