UNCP's Beverly, Cobb; CSU's Hawkins Named Women's Soccer All-Americans

KANSAS CITY, KAN – Three Peach Belt Conference women’s soccer players were named All-Americans by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). UNC Pembroke’s Whitney Beverly and Columbus State’s Sarah Hawkins were both named first team, while UNCP’s Melanie Cobb was named third team. This represents the first time the Peach Belt has had two student-athletes named to the first team.

Cobb joined Beverly, as well as former UNCP standout Lefke Boysen as the only all-Americans in the 8-year history of the program. Beverly is the first first-team player in UNCP school history.

“It’s a great honor for these girls to receive all-American status,” said UNCP head coach Lars Andersson. “It could not have happened to two better people and they deserve to be recognized. It’s also a testament to how far this program has come just in 2008 alone.”

Beverly played every minute of all 23 games this season for the Lady Braves. In 2,093 minutes of play, she limited UNCP opponents to just 13 goals on 196 shots and finished the year with a save percentage of .851 which ranked second among Peach Belt Conference leaders. Additionally, she tallied a goals against average of .566 which also ranked second in the PBC and 14th nationally.

Beverly matched the PBC single season shutouts record with 14 clean sheets, while shattering the UNCP mark as well. With 10 shutouts prior to 2008, her 24 career shutouts broke the UNCP record for shutouts in a career - marks formally held by women’s soccer great Hillary Helms (2003-06).

Not to be outdone, Cobb had a record-breaking season as well. She broke the UNCP career records for points (105), goals scored (44) and hat tricks (2), while eclipsing the single season records for points (48), goals scored (19) and shots (120). Cobb also led the team in assists (10). She started all 23 games for the Black and Gold while tallying four game-winning goals and a game-winning assist.

Cobb is now a three-time all-region (2006-08), two-time all-conference (2005, 2008) and two-time All-Peach Belt Tournament (2006,2008) team member. She also ranked 23rd nationally in points per game and 28th in goals per game.

This is the third straight year that Sarah Hawkins has been named named to an All-America team. Last season, she was selected to the NSCAA All-American Third Team and in 2006, she was a Daktronics Second Team All-American. Hawkins becomes the first CSU women's soccer player to be named a First Team All-American.

"What a tremendous honor to be recognized nationally," said CSU head coach Jay Entlich. "She's been an outstanding defender at CSU in her four-year career and the move from outside to center defensive back proved to be pivotal in our success this season."

Hawkins, a native of Lilburn, earned All-PBC honors for the fourth straight season and helped CSU to its fourth straight PBC regular season championship and third straight PBC tournament title. The CSU defense allowed only 17 goals and ranked seventh in the nation with 17 shutouts in 2008. The Lady Cougars advanced to the NCAA Division II
quarterfinals for the second straight season before losing to national runner-up West Florida.

The three All-Americans is the second most the Peach Belt has placed on the NSCAA team. Five women’s players were recognized in the 2004 season, although none were named first team.