October 27, 2006

Spartanburg, S.C. - The USC Upstate women's soccer team placed three players on the All-Conference team, released the league Friday, and all three players played key roles on the defensive end of the field for the Spartans.

Earning All-Conference honors were defender Brittney Briones, defender Veronica Lewis, and goalkeeper Diana Wabnitz.

Briones, from Sebastopol, Ca., took over a leadership role in the back for the Spartans this season. The senior played right marking back and took most of the free kicks as well as the majority of the corner kicks from the left side. She finished the year with one goal and two assists for four points. However, it was her play defensively that made her stand out. She helped USC Upstate record five shutouts in six wins this season. It was her first All-Conference selection at USC Upstate.

Lewis, a senior from Elk Grove, Ca., is no stranger to receiving postseason honors. She took home her third All-Conference honor and is also a two-time All-Region selection. Lewis has played in only 11 matches this season due to an injured knee, the same injury that hampered her throughout the season last year. Her play in 11 matches at left marking back was enough to convince the league's coaches she needed to be rewarded for her play. She was part of a unit that helped record five shutouts this season.

Wabnitz, a senior from Tampa, Fla., finally received the accolades many thought she has deserved for a long time. She was simply outstanding in goal this season, routinely keeping USC Upstate in matches with spectacular saves and command of the box. She owns every USC Upstate career goalkeeping records including wins, minutes played, saves, shutouts, and goal against average. This season, she has averaged seeing nearly 14 shots come her direction per match and has recorded five shutouts. She currently ranks second in Peach Belt Conference history in career saves and shutouts.

2006 Peach Belt Conference All-Conference Team

Forwards - Kristin Burton (Armstrong Atlantic State), Melanie Cobb (UNC Pembroke), Gina Goforth (Columbus State), Nkese Udoh (Clayton State); Midfielders - Brittany Bruner (North Georgia), Donna Sheyne (Armstrong Atlantic State), Melissa Schnoering (USC Aiken), Lyndsi Stricklen (Armstrong Atlantic State); Defenders - Jessica Shipple (Armstrong Atlantic State), Sarah Hawkins (Columbus State), Megan Honig (Columbus State), Judith Opina (Columbus State); Goalkeepers - Monica Sanchez (Columbus State), Diana Wabnitz (USC Upstate); At-Large - Brittney Briones (USC Upstate), Lauren Cappy (North Georgia), Natasha Daosta (USC Aiken), Veronica Lewis (USC Upstate), Lindsey Mann (USC AIken), Amaka Ofuani (Armstrong Atlantic State), Kelly Orear (North Georgia), Yasemin Sunbul (Clayton State), Rachel Walthall (Columbus State); Player of the Year - Kristin Burton (Armstrong Atlantic State); Freshman of the Year - Kristin Burton (Armstrong Atlantic State); Coach of the Year - Susan Vodicka (USC Aiken).