Nov. 4, 2009

Greenville, S.C. -- Furman women’s soccer standouts Sara El-Shami and Katya Gokhman were named to the All-Southern Conference second team and defender Claire Hodge was selected to the league’s all-freshman squad in voting by the SoCon’s 12 head coaches, it was announced on Wednesday.

El-Shami, a senior from Roswell, Ga., tallied a goal and four assists while helping Furman to a 10-8-0 overall record and 4-7 SoCon mark this season. The central midfielder finished her Furman career with 24 assists which ranks seventh in Paladin history.

Gokhman netted four goals and added three assists during her sophomore campaign. The Alpharetta, Ga., product scored two game-winning goals, including both goals in a 2-1 victory at Clemson during September.

Hodge, a native of Spartanburg, S.C., earned a starting spot in the Paladin back line as a freshman and notched one goal and one assist.

All-Conference

First Team

F      Kyri Bye-Nagel, Davidson

F      Tabitha Padgett, UNC Greensboro

F      Amber Cress, Samford

M     Jen Bronson, UNC Greensboro

M     Jenn Partenheimer, UNC Greensboro

M     Natalie Fleming, Samford

D      Brittany Schneider, College of Charleston

D      Claire O’Keefe, Elon

D      Lauren Lopez, UNC Greensboro

D      Theresa Henry, Samford

GK   Alyssa Whitehead, Samford

Second Team

F      Donna-Kay Henry, Chattanooga

F      Blakely Low, Davidson

F      Molly Calpin, Elon

F      Kristin Player, UNC Greensboro

M     Courtney Hart, Davidson

M     Sara El-Shami, Furman

M     Katya Gokhman, Furman

D      Annie Pease, College of Charleston

D      Amanda Flink, Davidson

D      Cat Barnekow, UNC Greensboro

GK   Kelsey Kearney, UNC Greensboro

All-Freshman Team

F      Alyssa Bearden, College of Charleston

F      Meggie Graham, Appalachian State

F      Tabitha Padgett, UNC Greensboro

F      Becca Smith, Chattanooga

M     Scarlett Fakhar, Elon

M     Lauren Hein, UNC Greensboro

D      Claire Hodge, Furman

D      Sabbath McKiernan-Allen, Samford

D      Claire O’Keefe, Elon

D      Elizabeth Palmer, Elon

D      Louise Timboe, Davidson

Co-Players of the Year: Amber Cress, Samford & Tabitha Padgett, UNC Greensboro

Freshman of the Year: Tabitha Padgett, UNC Greensboro

Coach of the Year: Bob Winch, The Citadel