Temple University Athletics
Brown and Johnson Earn AAC Women’s Soccer Regular Season Honors
10.30.18 | Women's Soccer
PHILADELPHIA— Aisha Brown and Gabriela Johnson received AAC honors for their outstanding performances in the regular season. Brown was named First Team All-Conference and Johnson was selected to the All-Rookie team.
Brown is an instrumental member of the Temple backline. The sophomore exemplifies discipline and consistency, which is a trademark of the Owls' defense. Brown is strong in the air, positioning herself to have the advantage in 50/50 balls. She is also a facilitator for the Owls, as she is effective at making attacking runs from her defensive position to set her teammates up in the final third. The Nokesville, Va. native has been a key contributor in Temple's six shutouts on the season. She is the first player in program history to be named First Team All-Conference since 1999.
Johnson has been an offensive spark for the Owls. The forward has tallied five goals and two assists in her freshman campaign and is tied for the team-high in points with 12. Two of Johnson's scores were golden goals. At Houston, she netted the game-winner in overtime to give the Owls a 3-2 victory in the pivotal match. At home against then No. 19 USF, Johnson found the back of net in double overtime to propel the Owls to their first win over a ranked opponent since 1995.
"We're extremely proud," said head coach Seamus O'Connor. "Even though it's an individual award, it's a recognition of our performances as a team. Both [Brown and Johnson] would echo that."
"Aisha was an outstanding freshman, but this year she stepped it up even more," said O'Connor. "She has become a key aspect of our attacking game, dribbling out of the back. We asked to do it more this year and she accepted that challenge. She was willing to sacrifice for the team. The work of the girls beside her allow her to be so successful as a part of the attack. She's been tremendous all year, is a lockdown defender and has a high soccer IQ."
"For Gabi, this recognition shows how much support and confidence she got from the older girls on the team," said O'Connor. "This started in her senior year of high school. She made a huge investment of her time and the choice to commit to being the best she could by the time she got to Temple. She's been so willing to learn and adapt her game. It's awesome to see hard work like that rewarded."
Temple begins its postseason slate on Wednesday, Oct. 31 in Tampa, Fla. The Owls will take on the UCF Knights in the AAC Tournament quarterfinals at 4:30 p.m.
2018 American Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Awards
Offensive Player of the Year- Evelyne Viens, Jr., F, USF
Defensive Player of the Year- Olivia Gauthier, Sr., D, Memphis
Midfielder of the Year- Andrea Hauksdottir, Jr., USF
Goalkeeper of the Year- Vera Varis, Sr., UCF
Rookie of the Year- Courtney Sebazco, Fr., MF, SMU
Coaching Staff of the Year- USF
Team Fair-Play Award- SMU
First Team All-Conference^
Desiree Bowen, Jr., F, Houston
Aisha Brown, So., D, Temple
Serena Dolan, Jr., MF, Memphis
Olivia Gauthier, Sr., D, Memphis
Andrea Hauksdottir, Jr., MF, USF
Clarissa Larisey, So., F, Memphis*
Marie Levasseur, Sr., MF, Memphis
Stefanie Sanders, So. F, UCF*
Allie Thornton, Jr., F, SMU
Vera Varis, Sr., GK, UCF
Evelyne Viens, Jr., F, USF*
Anna Wiliams, Jr., F, Tulsa
Second Team All-Conference^
Kelli Burney, RS-Jr., D, USF
Courtney Cash, Sr., F, ECU
Mia Darden, Fr., F, Tulsa
Carrie Lawrence, Sr., D, UCF
Catherine Levasseur, Sr., MF, Memphis
Sydney Martinez, Fr., GK, USF
Elizabeth Moberg, So., GK, Memphis
Sydny Nasello, Fr., MF, USF
Dina Orschmann, So., F, UCF
Jayda Hylton-Pelaia, Jr., D, ECU
Courtney Sebazco, Fr., MF, SMU
Katina Tsapos, RS-So., MF, SMU
Jill Vetere, Sr., F, Cincinnati
All-Rookie Team
Tanya Boychuk, F, Memphis
Mia Darden, F, Tulsa
Vanessa DiNardo, F, Cincinnati*
Grace Doran, MF, ECU
Gabriela Johnson, F, Temple
Sydney Martinez, GK, USF
Reid Morrison, D/MF, Houston
Sydny Nasello, MF, USF
Courtney Sebazco, MF, SMU*
Kristen Scott, F ,UCF
Celiana Torres, MF, SMU*
*unanimous selection
^extra player due to tie in voting
Brown is an instrumental member of the Temple backline. The sophomore exemplifies discipline and consistency, which is a trademark of the Owls' defense. Brown is strong in the air, positioning herself to have the advantage in 50/50 balls. She is also a facilitator for the Owls, as she is effective at making attacking runs from her defensive position to set her teammates up in the final third. The Nokesville, Va. native has been a key contributor in Temple's six shutouts on the season. She is the first player in program history to be named First Team All-Conference since 1999.
Johnson has been an offensive spark for the Owls. The forward has tallied five goals and two assists in her freshman campaign and is tied for the team-high in points with 12. Two of Johnson's scores were golden goals. At Houston, she netted the game-winner in overtime to give the Owls a 3-2 victory in the pivotal match. At home against then No. 19 USF, Johnson found the back of net in double overtime to propel the Owls to their first win over a ranked opponent since 1995.
"We're extremely proud," said head coach Seamus O'Connor. "Even though it's an individual award, it's a recognition of our performances as a team. Both [Brown and Johnson] would echo that."
"Aisha was an outstanding freshman, but this year she stepped it up even more," said O'Connor. "She has become a key aspect of our attacking game, dribbling out of the back. We asked to do it more this year and she accepted that challenge. She was willing to sacrifice for the team. The work of the girls beside her allow her to be so successful as a part of the attack. She's been tremendous all year, is a lockdown defender and has a high soccer IQ."
"For Gabi, this recognition shows how much support and confidence she got from the older girls on the team," said O'Connor. "This started in her senior year of high school. She made a huge investment of her time and the choice to commit to being the best she could by the time she got to Temple. She's been so willing to learn and adapt her game. It's awesome to see hard work like that rewarded."
Temple begins its postseason slate on Wednesday, Oct. 31 in Tampa, Fla. The Owls will take on the UCF Knights in the AAC Tournament quarterfinals at 4:30 p.m.
2018 American Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Awards
Offensive Player of the Year- Evelyne Viens, Jr., F, USF
Defensive Player of the Year- Olivia Gauthier, Sr., D, Memphis
Midfielder of the Year- Andrea Hauksdottir, Jr., USF
Goalkeeper of the Year- Vera Varis, Sr., UCF
Rookie of the Year- Courtney Sebazco, Fr., MF, SMU
Coaching Staff of the Year- USF
Team Fair-Play Award- SMU
First Team All-Conference^
Desiree Bowen, Jr., F, Houston
Aisha Brown, So., D, Temple
Serena Dolan, Jr., MF, Memphis
Olivia Gauthier, Sr., D, Memphis
Andrea Hauksdottir, Jr., MF, USF
Clarissa Larisey, So., F, Memphis*
Marie Levasseur, Sr., MF, Memphis
Stefanie Sanders, So. F, UCF*
Allie Thornton, Jr., F, SMU
Vera Varis, Sr., GK, UCF
Evelyne Viens, Jr., F, USF*
Anna Wiliams, Jr., F, Tulsa
Second Team All-Conference^
Kelli Burney, RS-Jr., D, USF
Courtney Cash, Sr., F, ECU
Mia Darden, Fr., F, Tulsa
Carrie Lawrence, Sr., D, UCF
Catherine Levasseur, Sr., MF, Memphis
Sydney Martinez, Fr., GK, USF
Elizabeth Moberg, So., GK, Memphis
Sydny Nasello, Fr., MF, USF
Dina Orschmann, So., F, UCF
Jayda Hylton-Pelaia, Jr., D, ECU
Courtney Sebazco, Fr., MF, SMU
Katina Tsapos, RS-So., MF, SMU
Jill Vetere, Sr., F, Cincinnati
All-Rookie Team
Tanya Boychuk, F, Memphis
Mia Darden, F, Tulsa
Vanessa DiNardo, F, Cincinnati*
Grace Doran, MF, ECU
Gabriela Johnson, F, Temple
Sydney Martinez, GK, USF
Reid Morrison, D/MF, Houston
Sydny Nasello, MF, USF
Courtney Sebazco, MF, SMU*
Kristen Scott, F ,UCF
Celiana Torres, MF, SMU*
*unanimous selection
^extra player due to tie in voting
Players Mentioned
D
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