Brenau Soccer Team Members Honored by SSAC

Several members of the Brenau University soccer team were honored by the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) for their outstanding athletic and academic performances for the 2013 season.

Esther Anyanwu (Lagos, Nigeria) was honored as the SSAC Player of the Year, the Golden Boot award winner and First Team All-Conference. In SSAC play, Anyanwu dominated offensively, leading the conference in points, points per game, goals and goals per game.

The senior forward was also named the Golden Boot winner-which is awarded to the conference's leading goal scorer. The two-time first team all-conference selection led both the SSAC and NAIA in goals scored.

Anyanwu is the first Brenau soccer player to be named SSAC Player of the Year.

Tori Brown, Linda Chukwuji and Elizabeth Campbell were also chosen as First Team SSAC All-Conference selections. Brown saved 57 shots for a 0.930 goals against average, while Linda Chukwuji and Elizabeth Campbell were stalwarts for the Golden Tiger defensive backfield.

Vanessa Alexander was also selected as a Second Team SSAC All-Conference selection for her play. Alexander scored nine regular season goals in her first season with the Golden Tigers.

Hannah Norwood (Grayson, Ga.) was selected as the Brenau recipient of the Champions of Character award. This honor goes to the student-athlete that best represents the NAIA core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.

Nine members of the team were honored as SSAC All-Academic team members. Vanessa Alexander (Toronto, Canada), Lauren Cain (Kennesaw, Ga.), Linda Chukwuji (Lagos, Nigeria), Kaylee Ellison (Auburn, Ala.), Jenna Jansen (Danielsville, Ga.), Jenny Knibbs (Doncaster, England), Hannah Norwood, Kirsty Smith (Doncaster, England) and Rachel Zarach (Acworth, Ga.) earned this honor. Honorees must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and have sophomore status.