Lions soccer rules the conference awards

Junior forward Chloe Richards chases after the ball against Union University. Richards was named GSC Player of the Year after leading D-II in goals with 26.

The Lions dominated the Gulf South Conference regular season and the conference awards announced Nov. 3.

The Lions had nine members earn All-GSC honors, the most in the conference.

Head coach Chris Walker earned GSC Coach of the Year after leading UNA to the No. 1 seed in the conference and a record of (13-2-1, 10-2) in his second season with the Lions.

The Lions allowed only seven goals in 16 games this season and are currently on a seven-game winning streak.

Junior forward Chloe Richards was named GSC Player of the Year for leading D-II in goals with 26. She also led D-II in points per game (3.56), goals per game (1.625) and total points (57).

Richards earned GSC Player of the Week five times this season, the most in the conference.

Defenders Ellis Hillman and Alyssa Bova joined Richards on the GSC first-team.

Hillman, a senior, has earned All-GSC honors all four years she has been at UNA. She made first team in 2011 and second team in 2012 and 2013.

Bova, a sophomore, was named GSC Defender of the Week Oct. 28 after helping the Lions shutout Union University and the University of West Alabama.

Lions earning second team honors were senior goalkeeper Rachel Beninati, sophomore defender Susan Lang, sophomore defender Eleanor Costello, senior midfielder Abbey Hellem, senior midfielder Danielle Scanlon and freshman forward Beatriz Fernandes.

UNA plays the winner of Christian Brothers University and University of West Florida Nov. 7 in Pensacola, Florida for the GSC semifinals.

The championship game is Nov. 9.