Mobile, Al. – It was a great night at the Sun Belt Women's Soccer Conference Championship Banquet, as three Georgia Southern Eagles were tabbed to the All Sun Belt Teams.  Nora El-Shami and Katie Merson were selected as First Team members, while Melinda Lukas was chosen as a Second Team member.  

The Eagles leading goal scorer with 7 on the year, El-Shami also leads the team in assists (6) and has placed 24 shots on goal striking true on 45.3% of her attempts. Ranked 7th in the Sun Belt Conference in points with 20, she is also 5th in the league in Points Per Game (1.18). Capable of creating opportunities and serving her teammates, Nora has been a huge part of the high-flying Eagles attack.  

"Over the course of her career, Nora has proven that she is one of the most talented players to ever come through our program," commented Head Coach Brian Dunleavy.  "She has been on the all-conference team three times now. She has the ability to score goals in key situations, and they aren't just ordinary goals, she has the ability to score some really special goals.  She's also proven that she can set her teammates up as well."

Teammate Merson joins El-Shami on the First Team as decided by the league's coaches and sports information directors. The 5th year senior set the career shut-out record this season, tallying 18 total during her time as an Eagle.  5 of those shut-outs have come this season, as Merson's Goals Against Average this season is 1.22.  All told, she has collected 91 saves in her senior campaign while playing every minute of every match this year.

"Oscar [Merson] has had a fantastic year, and has done a great job of keeping us in games and being able to sustain our place in the league.  She shows stability and leadership, and it is a true testament to her character that she has come back after a year off to earn a place on the first team," said Dunleavy. 

Lukas, in just her sophomore season, has been tabbed to the Second Team All Sun Belt.  Hitting her stride this season, Lukas has tallied 6 goals on the year. Placing 15 shots on goal, she finishes over 55% of the time. The 2nd leading scorer on the team overall, she comes up big when it matters, leading the team in game winning goals (4). That highlight places her 3rd in the league in Game-Winning Goals.

"This has been a breakout year for Melinda.  It is nice to see that she has been recognized, her speed and athletic ability has really set her apart and she has a great ability to finish her chances well," concluded Dunleavy. 

2014 SBC First Team All-Conference
Chardé Hannah (South Alabama, Freshman, Forward)
Rio Hardy (South Alabama, Freshman, Forward)
Lynsey Curry (Texas State, Junior, Forward)
Nora El-Shami (Georgia Southern, Junior, Midfielder)
Sophie Haywood (South Alabama, Freshman, Midfielder)
Alissa Jones (Troy, Junior Midfielder)
Grace Howell-Harries (UL Lafayette, Senior, Defender)
Steffi Hardy (South Alabama, Freshman, Defender)
Nini Rabsatt-Smith (South Alabama, Junior, Defender)
Georgia Wallis (Troy, Senior, Defender)
Katie Merson (Georgia Southern, R-Senior, Goalkeeper)
 
2014 SBC Second Team All-Conference
Fali Garuba (UALR, Freshman, Forward)
Melinda Lukas (Georgia Southern, Sophomore, Forward)
Whitney Ravan (Georgia State, Senior, Forward)
Chelsey Williams (Troy, Junior, Forward)
Kimberly Grasso (UL Lafayette, Sophomore, Midfielder)
Monique Autmon (South Alabama, Sophomore, Midfielder)
Danielle Henley (South Alabama, Freshman, Midfielder)
Jenna Moore (Georgia State, Junior, Defender)
Elizabeth Havenhill (Texas State, Freshman, Defender)
Payton Donley (Troy, Junior, Defender)
Mikki Lewis (Troy, Freshman, Goalkeeper)

2014 SBC Offensive Player of the Year
Chardé Hannah (South Alabama, Freshman, Forward)
 
2014 SBC Defensive Player of the Year
Nini Rabsatt-Smith (South Alabama, Junior, Defender)
 
2014 SBC Freshman of the Year
Chardé Hannah (South Alabama, Freshman, Forward)
 
2014 SBC Coach of the Year
Graham Winkworth, South Alabama

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