Southern soccer stand-outs kicking to next level

Tiffany Cantu makes a play for the ball around defender Joana Weaver of Bellhaven as Miriam Akinfosile looks on in the foreground.

The Southern University ladies soccer team finished the year with five members on the All-SWAC team including a standout freshman from Fairfield, Calif., who led the nation in saves per game. SU goalie Divinity Bradley led the SWAC with 159 saves and was named Freshman of the Year.

Bradley was joined by team members Amanda-Soto-Ortiz and Tiffany Cantu, both sophomores, who were named to the first team and juniors Almarie Soto-Ortiz and Jamika Pugh who were named to the second team.

"All the ladies did a wonderful job for us this year," head coach John Knighten said. "They all are exceptional players and deserve the honors they were bestowed."

The Southern soccer team was knocked out of the 2007 SWAC tournament in the first round by Alabama A & M University who went on to win the tournament.

Almarie Soto-Ortiz received a second honor in being named to the All-Tournament team. The Hopemills, N.C., native was thrilled about mention. "Just being named to this honor is special," she said. "I'm really happy about all the honors I received."