Oct. 30, 2016
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southeastern Conference unveiled its coaches’ postseason awards Sunday to cap off another exciting season of SEC soccer. Vanderbilt junior defender Cristina De Zeeuw earned an at-large selection to the conference’s All-Second Team, while Grace Jackson landed on the SEC All-Freshman team.
A native of Overland Park, Kan., De Zeeuw started all 18 regular season games for the black and gold. Following her second-career goal, which came in the 55th minute against LSU on Sept. 25, the junior was named the SEC Defender of the Week (9/27). De Zeeuw also earned a spot on TopDrawerSoccer.com’s National Team of the Week, making her the second Commodore to ever claim a spot on the weekly accolade list.
On the defensive side of the ball, De Zeeuw and the Commodore backline generated four shutout wins in the regular season, including a 2-0 upset over then-No. 14 Texas A&M 2-0 and a 3-0 conference victory against LSU.
“I am extremely happy for Tina,” said Vanderbilt head coach Darren Ambrose. “She has been one of our most consistent competitors since I arrived at Vanderbilt. She is the mainstay of our backline and her distribution has been key for us all year. Its been rewarding to watch her mature into one of our team leaders.”
The last time a Commodore was named to the All-SEC Second Team was last season, with Simone Charley earning the honor.
Jackson led the Commodores in multiple statistical categories during the regular season. Heading into the postseason, the Atlanta native leads VU in points (16), tied in goals (5), assists (6) and game-winning goals (3).
Jackson’s first goal as a Commodore came against Jackson State in the 7th minute of play. Her other game-winning goals came against San Francisco (2-1) and the initial goal in the ‘Dores victory over LSU.
“I am glad to see Grace get the recognition she deserves,” stated Ambrose. “She gives everything she has every minute she wears the jersey and embodies a lot of the qualities we value in our program. She transitioned to more of a defensive role out of necessity midway through the year and handled it very well, even though she is naturally an attacking player.”
This is the 15th time a member of the Vanderbilt soccer program has been named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, with Lydia Simmons being the most recent honoree in 2014.
De Zeeuw, Jackson and the rest of the Commodore contingent begin postseason play this Wednesday against Arkansas in the SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala.
SEC Postseason Honors:
First Team All-SEC
Forward: Kristen Dodson, Auburn
Forward: Savannah Jordan, Florida
Forward: Savannah McCaskill, South Carolina
Forward: Hannah Wilkinson, Tennessee
Midfielder: Claire Kelley, Arkansas
Midfielder: Casie Ramsier, Auburn
Midfielder: Meggie Dougherty Howard, Florida
Midfielder: Chelsea Drennan, South Carolina
Defender: Kiana Clarke, Auburn
Defender: Gabby Seiler, Florida
Defender: Paige Bendell, South Carolina
Defender: Kaleigh Kurtz, South Carolina
Goalkeeper: Mikayla Krzeczowski, South Carolina
At-Large: Marion Crowder, Georgia
At-Large: Melanie Donaldson, Missouri
Second Team All-SEC
Forward: Mallory Eubanks, Mississippi State
Forward: Sarah Luebbert, Missouri
Forward: Sophie Groff, South Carolina
Forward: Haley Pounds, Texas A&M
Midfielder: Brooke Ramsier, Auburn
Midfielder: Summer Clarke, LSU
Midfielder: Gretchen Harknett, Ole Miss
Midfielder: Kaitlyn Clark, Missouri
Midfielder: Rylie O’Keefe, Tennessee
Defender: Jessi Hartzler, Arkansas
Defender: Qyara Winston, Arkansas
Defender: Caroline Waters, Georgia
Defender: Lauren Selaiden, Missouri
Goalkeeper: Sarah Le Beau, Auburn
Goalkeeper: Danielle Rice, Texas A&M
At-Large: Kristen Cardano, Florida
At-Large: Cristina DeZeeuw, Vanderbilt
All-Freshman Team
Stefani Doyle, Arkansas
Kayla McKeon, Arkansas
Bri Folds, Auburn
Karli Gutsche, Auburn
Julia Lester, Florida
Marissa Bosco, Kentucky
Evangeline Soucie, Kentucky
Sarah Luebbert, Missouri
Mikayla Krzeczowski, South Carolina
Maya Neal, Tennessee
Grace Piper, Texas A&M
Grace Jackson, Vanderbilt
Coach of the Year: Shelley Smith, South Carolina
Offensive Player of the Year: Savannah McCaskill, South Carolina
Defensive Player of the Year: Kaleigh Kurtz, South Carolina
Freshman of the Year: Sarah Luebbert, Missouri
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Casie Ramsier, Auburn
