Nov. 4, 2013
Charley had five goals and five assists in 17 games for the ‘Dores
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Cheyna Williams and Simone Charleyof the Vanderbilt women’s soccer team have received All-SEC honors, as announced by league officials Monday afternoon. Williams was named 2013 First Team All-SEC, while Charley was recognized as one of the best newcomers and named to the All-Freshman team.
Awards were voted on by the league’s 14 coaches in advance of this week’s SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala.
Williams (Hampton, Ga.) was among the nations best in scoring with 16 goals. That mark tied for ninth-most in the country and third-highest in the SEC. Charley (Hoover, Ala.) was second on the ‘Dores, behind Williams, with five goals and tied for the team lead with five assists.
Williams had one of the best offensive seasons for the Commodores in 15 years. Her 16 goals tie her with Laura Koerner for second on the single-season goal scoring list. Koerner hit that mark twice in her career and also holds the single-season record with 19 goals scored in 23 games played during the 1998 season. Williams’ 37 points put her alone in fifth place on the single-season points list.
The 5-foot-7 sophomore played in 18 straight games for the Commodores after sitting out the season opener against UAB. She scored in 10 contests and put up multiple-goal efforts four times. Williams posted a 13-point weekend against Arkansas and Mississippi State when she scored five goals and notched three assists. Williams picked up her second hat-trick of the season against Mississippi State, and the ‘Dores to their only conference win of the season.
“We are obviously very proud of Cheyna for earning this award. It is so well-deserved by her and clearly the SEC coaches took notice of her play this fall,” Vanderbilt head coach Derek Greenesaid. “Cheyna started earning this award last spring in the transformation she made on and off the field. Her effort, consistency and commitment were exactly what you want to see between a player’s freshman and sophomore year. The SEC is loaded with great attacking personalities and for Cheyna to receive first team recognition is tremendous. Some of her goals this year were unreal and we are so happy for Cheyna and our program to have a first-team selection.”
Charley played in 17 games, starting 16, before suffering an MCL injury towards the end of the year. The freshman played more than 1,200 minutes in her first season with the Commodores and was second in nearly every offensive category. Charley helped the ‘Dores to a win over ranked Wisconsin, scoring the equalizing goal in the 64th minute. She also led Vanderbilt to a victory over Memphis by scoring the game-winner midway through the second half.
“I am not surprised at all by Simone being selected to the All-Freshman team.She more than earned this award,” Greene said. “When (assistant coach) Sebastian (Vecchio) and I first saw her play, we knew she had exactly what it takes for success in the SEC.Simone is a hard worker, extremely talented, and brings a consistent effort every day. The fact that she was injured at a very crucial time for us and still tried to play for her team says volumes about her character.”
The duo helped lead one of the best Vanderbilt scoring attacks in recent memory. Vanderbilt scored 37 goals, the most by the team since 39 in 2005. The 2013 Commodores also averaged 2.06 goals per game – their most since averaging more than three goals per game in the 2000 season.
“Our program has a bright future with a lot of young talent,” said Greene. “Simone and Cheyna are two exciting players to watch as we move forward and hopefully fans will enjoy coming to see them in the future.”
For the full SEC release and list of awards click here.
2013 SECâ€Ë†Women’s Soccer Awards
First Team All-SEC
Forward: Arin Gilliland, Kentucky
Forward: Savannah Jordan, Florida
Forward: Rafaelle Souza, Ole Miss
Forward: Cheyna Williams, Vanderbilt
Midfielder: Kaysie Clark, Missouri
Midfielder: Shea Groom, Texas A&M
Midfielder: Mandy McCalla, Ole Miss
Midfielder: Havana Solaun, Florida
Defender: Taylor Leach, South Carolina
Defender: Kala Faulkner, Auburn
Defender: Meghan Streight, Texas A&M
Defender: Christen Westphal, Florida
Goalkeeper: Sabrina D’Angelo, South Carolina
All-Freshman Team
Pam Begić, Florida
Simone Charley, Vanderbilt
Summer Clarke, LSU
Marion Crowder, Georgia
Chelsea Drennan, South Carolina
Emma Fletcher, LSU
Gretchen Harknett, Ole Miss
Savannah Jordan, Florida
Liz Keester, Texas A&M
Casie Ramsier, Auburn
Zoe Swift, Kentucky
