Two Sooners Earn All-Big 12 Awards

NORMAN, Okla. – Two members of the Oklahoma soccer team nabbed spots on the All-Big 12 Newcomer Team this week. Freshmen Jemma Cota and Paige Jacobs were selected to the 12-member award list by league head coaches.

“I'm delighted that Paige and Jemma's hard work and performances have been recognized around the conference,” head coach Matt Potter said. “Both have been integral parts of our season, earning starting positions and impacting games with their obvious talent. I'm sure they will be quick to acknowledge the contribution of their teammates as they accept the accolade.”

A selection to the newcomer team as a midfielder, Cota posted 17 starts in 18 total appearances as a true freshman for the Sooners. The Gilbert, Ariz., native earned her first career assist at Oklahoma on the road against BYU on Sept. 19 and had 11 shots (six on goal) throughout the season. She has been called up twice to try out for the Mexico National Team and aided her high school team to three conference playoff appearances.

Jacobs earned 17 starts and appeared in all 18 of Oklahoma's matches this season. Selected to the All-Big 12 Newcomer Team as a utility player, Jacobs posted 15 shots and took the field for over 1,300 minutes in her first season with the Sooners. A Texas high school standout hailing from Coppell, Jacobs was a three-time first team All-District pick and signed with OU as the No. 28 player in the state of Texas.

“These recognitions also speak to the ambition and direction of our program with multiple award recipients,” Potter added. “I'm excited for Paige and Jemma, as well as the team, as we move forward.”

OU is one of four conference squads will multiple selections to the All-Big 12 Newcomer Team. The Sooners are set to return nine of 11 starters to the pitch for the 2014 campaign and will bring back 23 of 26 players overall.

All-BIG 12 CONFERENCE SOCCER AWARDS
(Coaches aren't allowed to vote for their own players or themselves)

Coach of the Year: Nikki Izzo-Brown, West Virginia
Offensive Player of the Year: Frances Silva*, West Virginia, Sr. Overland Park, Kan.
Defensive Player of the Year: Kadeisha Buchanan, West Virginia, Fr. Brampton, Ontario
Newcomer of the Year: Kadeisha Buchanan, West Virginia, Fr. Brampton, Ontario

All-BIG 12 FIRST TEAM

Pos.	Name	Team	Year	Hometown
GK	Victoria Esson	Texas Tech	Sr.	Christchurch, New Zealand
D	Bobbi Clemmer	TCU	So.	Decatur, Texas
D	Jaelene Hinkle	Texas Tech	Jr.	Denver, Colo.
D	Kadeisha Buchanan	West Virginia	Sr.	Brampton, Ontario
MF	Liana Salazar	Kansas	So.	Bogota, Columbia
MF	Sharis Lachappelle	Texas	Jr.	San Antonio, Texas
MF	Ashley Lawrence	West Virginia	Fr.	Toronto, Ontario
F	Janine Beckie	Texas Tech	So.	Highlands Ranch, Colo.
F	Kate Schwindel	West Virginia	Jr.	Livingston, N.J.
F	Frances Silva	West Virginia	Sr.	Overland Park, Kan.
U	Bri Campos	Baylor	So.	Centennial, Colo.

ALL-BIG 12 SECOND TEAM

Pos.	Name	Team	Year	Hometown
GK	Abby Smith	Texas	So.	Plano, Texas
D	Natalie Calhoun	Oklahoma State	Fr.	Sachse, Texas
D	Brooke Gilbert	Texas	Jr.	Snohomish, Wash.
D	Haley Haagsma	Texas Tech	Sr.	Cerritos, Calif.
MF	Allie Stephenson	Oklahoma State	So.	Lee's Summit, Mo.
MF	Paige Strahan	Texas Tech	Jr.	Odessa, Texas
MF	Amanda Hill	West Virginia	So.	Washington, Pa.
F	Caroline Kastor	Kansas	Sr.	Wichita, Kan.
F	Courtney Dike	Oklahoma State	Fr.	Edmond, Okla.
F	Michelle Prokof	TCU	Fr.	Gurnee, Ill.
U	Emily Goldstein	Iowa State	Sr.	Orange County, Calif.

BIG 12 ALL-NEWCOMER TEAM

Pos.	Name	Team	Year	Hometown
GK	Michela Ongaro	Oklahoma State	Fr.	Hartland, Wis.
D	Aurelie Gagnet	Kansas	Fr.	Montpellier, France
D	Carly Black	West Virginia	Fr.	Horsham, Pa.
D	Kadeisha Buchanan	West Virginia	Fr.	Brampton, Ontario
MF	Jemma Cota	Oklahoma	Fr.	Gilbert, Ariz.
MF	Maddy Crabtree	Texas Tech	Fr.	Greenville, Texas
MF	Ashley Lawrence	West Virginia	Fr.	Toronto, Ontario
F	Courtney Dike	Oklahoma State	Fr.	Edmond, Okla.
F	Krissi Killion	Oklahoma State	Fr.	Broken Arrow, Okla.
F	Michelle Prokof	TCU	Fr.	Gurnee, Ill.
U	Paige Jacobs	Oklahoma	Fr.	Coppell, Texas
U	Kansas Bayly	Texas Tech	Sr.	Lilburn, Ga.