NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt soccer had six recognized Thursday by the SEC in postseason honors, highlighted by Sara Wojdelko, who was named SEC Goalkeeper of the Year, and Sydney Watts, who earned SEC Forward of the Year. It marks the first time the program earned both goalkeeper and forward of the year.
Additionally, Courtney Jones, Hannah McLaughlin, Watts and Wojdelko all earned All-SEC First Team, while Reagan Pentz and Olivia Stafford were named all-freshman team.
Jones, a junior out of Orlando, Florida, started all 17 conference matches, scoring a career-high six goals and dishing three assists for a career-best 15 points during the regular season. The midfielder returns to the All-SEC list for the first time since being named All-SEC Freshman Team in 2023. Jones has recorded over 1,400 minutes of action so far this season and registered the second brace of her career against Missouri.
McLaughlin, who was named 2024 All-SEC First Team, helped anchor a Commodore defense that allowed just eight goals during the regular season and posted 11 shutouts, the most since 2019. The senior out of Cummings, Georgia, has recorded over 1,400 minutes on the pitch and leads the conference in average passes per game and progressive passes per game. A team captain this season, McLaughlin helped lead a defense that only conceded six goals to conference opponents to lead the SEC.
Watts, who earned 2024 All-SEC Third Team, leads the conference in points (26), goals (12), points per game (1.53) and goals per game (.73). The junior out of Lenexa, Kansas, started all 17 matches and already hit career-bests in goals, assists, points, shots on goals and shots on goal percentage. The forward was named to TopDrawer’s Midseason Top 100 Players and has been SEC Offensive Player of the Week twice this season.
Wojdelko, who started in 16 matches this year, recorded 10 shutouts on the year and only allowed eight goals, six of which came in SEC play and is the least by any program against conference foes. The graduate from Northville, Michigan, has made 41 stops so far and boasts the SEC’s best goals-against-average (.45) and best save percentage (.854).
Pentz, a midfielder out of Broadview Heights, Ohio, scored her first career goal in the Commodores’ first win over a top-5 program against No. 4 Tennessee. Pentz’ six assists is tied for the team lead, three of which came in the season opener.
Stafford, a forward out of Arlington, Virginia, has appeared in all 17 contests and made 15 starts. The freshman has posted 14 points during her rookie campaign, off four goals and six assists.
The Commodores return to action Tuesday morning in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament, playing the winner of the South Carolina-Alabama game. The quarterfinal matchup will kick off at 11:30 a.m. and can be seen on SEC Network.
