Aug. 11, 2009

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Returning to the Sunshine State after competing in the Brazilian National Team Camp over the summer, UCF women's soccer sophomore goalkeeper Aline Reis (Campinas, Brazil) was greeted back to the States by being named to the 2009 Watch List for the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy Tuesday, the top individual award in college soccer. Meanwhile, the Preseason All-Conference USA Team was announced as well and the Knights had a league-high four players voted onto the squad.

Reis joined seniors D Nikki Moore, F Yvonne George and MF Becca Thomas on the Preseason All-C-USA Team, which were the most Knights on the league's preseason list since joining C-USA in 2005. Moore also grabbed the C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year award, the first time that a Knight was selected for either the offensive or defensive accolade.

"We definitely appreciate the other C-USA coaches recognizing our players," said 11th year head coach Amanda Cromwell. "It means a lot to see their names on the preseason list. But everyone knows the real team is the one that is selected at the end of the year. And with three of our seniors honored in the preseason, they will take this to heart and try to lead the way.

"Nikki as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year is a great compliment to an outside back because it usually goes to goalkeeper. The league knows her as a great defender who gets into the attack. And Aline is a keeper who was just named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List, and Yvonne and Becca are two of our most explosive attacking players who will be contributing a lot of goals and assists this year. So the coaches picked some quality soccer players to recognize this preseason."

As a freshman in 2008, Reis guided the Knights to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Second Round. She was selected as an All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, UCF's first All-American since 1995. The keeper finished with a 1.26 goals-against average and six shutouts, turning aside a total of 107 shots in 22 matches played.

The Hermann Trophy was first introduced on the women's side in 1988 when UCF's own Michelle Akers claimed the award in her final season as a Knight. This year, there are 45 student-athletes on the Watch List, and Reis is one of 11 sophomores and the only player not from North America to be given a spot on the list. A total of 15 semifinalists is selected by a coaches committee in November with three finalists announced in early December. They will be invited to the MAC in St. Louis for the release of the winner Jan. 8, 2010.

Moore has been a frequent member of C-USA award lists. In 2007 and 2008, the defender earned a spot on the preseason team as well, and both years was eventually voted onto the All-C-USA First Team at the end of the regular season. Moore also received All-C-USA Second Team and All-Freshman Team honors in 2006 for her stellar work on defense.

George was an All-C-USA Second Team honoree in 2008 after leading the Knights and ranking fourth in the league with seven assists. She was the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week when she scored the game-winner to defeat No. 19 Florida.

Thomas has been UCF's staple for corner kicks in recent years and earned several awards a year ago, including All-C-USA First Team and NSCAA All-Southeast Region Second Team recognition. She tallied a career-high five goals and added six assists for 16 points during her junior campaign.

The Black and Gold will hold an exhibition match against Rollins at home Thursday at 7 p.m. before opening up the regular season Aug. 21 when they host Florida Gulf Coast at 6 p.m.

For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.

2009 C-USA Women's Soccer Preseason Team
Kelsey Bakker, Jr., D, Memphis (Kennewick, Wash.)
Lizzy Simonin, So., F, Memphis (Lee's Summit, Mo.)
Vendula Strnadova, Jr., MF, Memphis (Las Cruces, N.M.) - PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Shelley Wong, Sr., MF, Rice (Virginia Beach, Va.)
Kim Peabody, Sr., D, SMU (St. Louis, Mo.)
Tiffini Turpin, So., F, UAB (Birmingham, Ala.)
Yvonne George, Sr., F, UCF (Winter Springs, Fla.)
Nikki Moore, Sr., D, UCF (Virginia Beach, Va.) - PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Aline Reis, So., GK, UCF (Campinas, Brazil)
Becca Thomas, Sr., MF, UCF (Burlington, Wash.)
Tameka Sumter, Sr., F, UTEP (San Antonio, Texas)
Chelsea Winbush, Sr., MF, UTEP (Allen, Texas)