Soccer Garners Three All-SEC Honors
11/2/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Nov. 2, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team garnered three All-Southeastern Conference honors the league office announced Tuesday. Junior goalkeeper Justine Bernier (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) was named to the first team while senior Victoria Frederick (Huntsville, Ala.) garnered second team accolades. Newcomer Molly Atherton (Gulfport, Miss.) was named to the All-Freshmen team.
"Justine, Victoria and Molly are all certainly deserving of All-SEC recognition," UA head coach Todd Bramble said. "They all brought different elements to the team and were all leaders in their own right."
This marks the second time Alabama has earned three All-SEC honors in the same season, tying with the 2004 season for the most in school history. Bernier becomes the first Tide player to earn first team honors since Rachel Brown nabbed the accolade in 1999.
Bernier earned her third straight conference honor and first as a member of the first team. The junior broke the Alabama all-time shutout and save record by totaling five clean sheets and 77 saves. She sported a 1.09 goals against average and an .828 save percentage. During conference play she tallied three shutouts and made 63 stops.
"Justine continued her development as a goalkeeper this season by becoming more than just a shot stopper," Bramble said. "Her ability to handle crosses and distribution both showed marked improvement this season. Her next challenge will be to continue to grow as a leader as she enters her senior year."
Frederick put together a career season as she finished tied for the team lead with 14 points. The Huntsville, Ala., native scored four goals and led the team with a single-season, career-best six assists. Her six helpers were one off the single season record at Alabama. During conference play, the fleet-footed forward led the team with 11 points on three goals and five assists.
"Victoria spent her entire senior year being a threat to our opponents' defense," Bramble said. "She was a constant threat to get in behind teams and she played at a very high level technically and athletically."
Atherton came to the Capstone ranked by TopDrawer as one of the top freshmen, and she did not disappoint. The newcomer tallied two points on two assists and started in all 18 matches. She logged 90 or more minutes on six different occasions, including three in a row to finish the season. The Gulfport, Miss., native fired off 40 shots which ranked second on the team and put 17 on frame.
"Molly created a nice foundation for herself by playing nearly every minute of every SEC game this season," Bramble said. "She showed impressive composure and technique under pressure as a freshman, battling in the center of the midfield."
Alabama finished 8-8-2 overall, compiling its second .500 season under Bramble in three years. The Tide improved its scoring by six goals and also lowered its goals against average.
