Four Covenant women's soccer players garnered United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-South Region honors for their work on the field and in the classroom, announced the organization on Monday.
Juniors Sophia Andre and Kendyll Freeman were selected to the second team, while seniors Addy Cronan and Lizzy Hightower were third team choices. The four honorees are the most Covenant has produced in a season in the NCAA era of the program.
To be eligible for the honor, players must be at least a junior, have at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA, start more than 50 percent of all matches and be a significant contributor to the success of the team.
A committee of the United Soccer Coaches then selects then honorees.
Andre, a junior from West Springfield, Mass., picks up her first career Scholar All-Region honor. The junior was instrumental in a Covenant defense that produced nine shutouts this season. An All-USA South West Division first team selection, Andre played in 17 matches, making 12 starts, and registered an assist on the year. Majoring in business, Andre has a 3.49 GPA and was a USA South All-Academic honoree following her freshman season.
Freeman, a junior from Albany, Ga., also collects her first career Scholar All-Region award. The junior played in 17 matches, making 15 starts, along the back line and helped Covenant to nine shutouts. Freeman came up clutch in the USA South Tournament as she assisted on Kailey Burrell's golden goal in a 2-1 win over N.C. Wesleyan in the quarterfinal round. Freeman earned a third straight All-USA South West Division first team choice this season. Majoring in biology, Freeman currently has a 3.93 GPA and is a two-time member of the USA South All-Academic team.
A senior from Knoxville, Tenn., Cronan earns a second straight Scholar All-Region honor after being named to the second team last season. A USA All-West Division first team selection this year, Cronan tallied three goals and a team-leading five assists while playing in all 19 matches. In three seasons at Covenant, Cronan registered 24 goals and 16 assists. Majoring in business, Cronan has accumulated an overall 3.37 GPA.
Hightower, a senior from Huntsville, Ala., earns her first Scholar All-Region nod. The senior contributed a goal and four assists on the year and earned USA South All-West Division second team honors for a second consecutive season. Hightower's play at the USA South Tournament helped the Lady Scots reach the championship match and she was named to the All-Tournament team. A three-time USA South All-Academic honoree, Hightower has a 3.78 GPA with a major in psychology.
Covenant ended the season with a 10-6-3 overall record and a 6-1-1 mark in the USA South.