Briefs: Four Lions named All-American

Vanguard University junior Jordan Davidson has been named first-team NAIA All-American in women’s soccer.

Vanguard seniors Amanda Couch and Lauren Evans are second-team honorees, while sophomore Lauren Terry is a third-team pick by NAIA coaches.

Davidson, a forward, was the Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year in her first season after transferring from Paradise Valley Community College in Arizona. She amassed 18 goals and 10 assists to help lead the Lions to GSAC regular-season and tournament titles, and reach the quarterfinals of the NAIA Tournament.

Davidson had eight game-winning goals.

Couch, a center midfielder, and an All-GSAC performer, had nine goals and 14 assists to help the Lions finish 18-2-1. Her three game-winning goals in 2012 gave her 10 for her distinguished four-year career.

Evans, an All-GSAC center defender, helped the Lions record 15 shutouts, as they outscored opponents a combined 65-8. During a 15-game unbeaten streak to end the season, Vanguard allowed just three goals, while scoring 47.

Terry, a goalkeeper, posted an 0.42 goals-against average. She was credited with 15 wins and nine shutouts while making 46 saves. She was also an All-GSAC selection.

GSAC Coach of the Year Randy Dodge’s Vanguard squad was ranked No. 5 in the NAIA postseason poll.

In addition, Vanguard seniors Jordan Cleary, Charlotte Wisniewski and Annamaria Tedeschi were named NAIA scholar-athletes.

— From staff reports

*

Winkler all-region

UC Irvine senior libero Kristin Winkler has been named All-West Region by the American Volleyball Coaches Assn.

Winkler became the Big West Conference women’s career digs leader in 2012. Her 2,260 digs surpassed the previous standard of 2,164, set by Cal State Fullerton’s Cami Croteau.

Winkler, a four-year starter, also holds school records for digs in a season (676) and match (36.

Her 102 career aces also rank in the top 10 in school annals. Her 26 aces this season led the team.

She was No. 13 in the nation in regular-season digs per set (5.68).

— From staff reports

*

Two ‘Eaters lauded

UC Irvine senior Rachel Wood and junior Natalia Ledezma have been named third-team All-West Region in women’s soccer by the National Soccer Coaches’ Assn. of America.

Ledezma, a second-team all-region honoree in 2011, had three goals and six assists for the Anteaters (9-8-4, 5-1-3 in the Big West Conference).

She began her collegiate career at UCLA.

Wood, a transfer from North Carolina, began the season at forward, but was shifted to defense when slowed by an ankle injury that prevented her from practicing.

Wood had five goals, all on penalty kicks, and two assists in 19 games for UCI, which failed to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three seasons.

— From staff reports