Dao, Welch Earn All-Big 12 Recognition

NORMAN — Oklahoma redshirt junior Kaylee Dao and senior Paige Welch captured All-Big 12 honors, the conference announced Tuesday. Dao earned first-team honors for the second consecutive year in the utility spot, while Welch earned second-team honors for the second time in her career.

Dao started all 19 games this season, leading the team with six goals on the year. The Tulsa, Okla., native added a pair of assists to lead the team with 14 points. She recorded a multi-goal game with a pair of scores in a 7-1 win over Illinois State on Aug. 24.

This is the third career honor for Dao who earned a spot on the All-Big 12 Freshman Team after her first campaign with the Crimson and Cream. Dao is now just the fourth player in program history to earn three or more conference honors in a career, joining Logan Womack (4), Whitney Palmer (4) and Lauren MacIver (3).

Welch earned second-team honors for the second time, the first coming after her sophomore campaign in 2016. The Austin, Texas native tallied a goal in her hometown when the Sooners took on then-No.20 Texas on the road. Welch also added an assist at Utah on Sept. 13. She is the eighth player in program history to earn Big 12 honors in more than one season.