Redhawks soccer sweeps OVC awards

~ conference champion claimed the four major awards on the eve of the OVC tournament.

Based on the type of year her team has had, Southeast Missouri State women's soccer coach Heather Nelson expected some nice individual postseason honors.

Still, Nelson did not expect the Redhawks to sweep all four major awards handed out by the Ohio Valley Conference.

But that's exactly what happened Thursday night as the OVC held its women's soccer awards banquet at the Show Me Center on the eve of the conference tournament semifinals in Cape Girardeau.

In addition to Nelson being named OVC coach of the year, sophomore forward Courtney Alexander is the offensive player of the year, senior goalkeeper Lindsay Pickering is the defensive player of the year and forward Ashley Runion is the freshman of the year.

Voting was done by the conference coaches and sports information directors.

"It's amazing. I didn't expect it," said Nelson, whose squad captured the OVC regular-season championship, which allowed it to host the league tournament semifinals and finals. "I know we had a really good season, but there are a lot of talented athletes in the OVC."

For Nelson, the conference coach of the year award is her third since she started the Southeast program in 1999. She also led Southeast to OVC regular-season titles in 2001 and 2002, along with last year's OVC tournament championship.

Nelson appeared more pleased for her players than herself Thursday night.

"It's wonderful for all of them," she said. "They are very deserving.

Alexander followed up a strong freshman season last year with a big sophomore campaign.

A native of Liberty, Mo., near Kansas City, Alexander has eight goals and six assists for 22 points. She ranks second in the OVC in points per game and third in goals per game.

"Courtney is just a real threat every time she has the ball," Nelson said. "And the great thing, she's only a sophomore."

Said Alexander, who as a freshman led the OVC with nine goals and 21 points: "I'm very surprised. I didn't expect it at all. It's a huge honor."

Pickering, from St. Charles, Mo., leads the OVC with seven shutouts while also ranking first in goals-against average (0.64) and save percentage (.878). She is 26th nationally in goals-against average.

Also the OVC defensive player of the year as a sophomore in 2005, Pickering is the league's career leader in shutouts with 27.

"Lindsay has just been a rock for us," Nelson said.

Said Pickering: "I get the award, but it's something all our defenders should share in. It's our whole unit."

Runion, from St. Peters, Mo., broke onto the scene in a big way for the Redhawks as she leads them with nine goals and 23 points.

Runion leads the OVC in points per game, while ranking second in goals per game.

"I knew Ashley was good the first time I watched her play," Nelson said. "I told her come play for us."

Said Runion: "I'm very surprised. It's a big honor."

Alexander and Pickering both made the all-OVC first team, along with Southeast senior midfielder Margie Schaeffler, a four-year starter who was second-team all-OVC last year.

"Margie is amazing," Nelson said. "She's our engine room, our leader."

Runion was voted to the all-conference second team, along with fellow Southeast freshman midfielder Vanessa Hart from Australia.

"I'm very excited for Vanessa, because sometimes as a midfielder you don't have the stats and can get overlooked," Nelson said. "She's had a very good freshman year."

Runion and Hart are both members of the OVC's all-newcomer team.

Southeast led all OVC squads with three first-team selections. Samford, which finished second in the league standings, had two first-team picks.