ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Two members of the UCF women's soccer team were recognized by the American Athletic Conference on Tuesday. Junior Vera Varis and senior Saga Fredriksson were named to the preseason all-conference team, with Varis also earning the nod for Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
A native of Vantaa, Finland, Varis started and finished all 19 matches last season. She boasted a goals-against average of 1.42 with five shutouts on the season. During her freshman campaign in 2015, Varis was named to The American All-Rookie Team after being tabbed as the league's Rookie of the Week an unmatched three times during the season. She also earned a spot on The American's All-Tournament team.
Fredriksson, a native of Malmo, Sweden, is The American's reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year. She also garnered second team all-conference honors in 2016 after appearing in all 19 games. She netted one goal with two assists. No stranger to league honors, Fredriksson was an All-Rookie Team selection in 2014 and picked up a pair of Defensive Player of the Week awards in 2015.
The Knights were picked to finish sixth, but just seven points separated third through sixth place.
UCF hosts Miami on Wednesday in the first of two preseason exhibition contests. Admission is free at the UCF Soccer Complex, with action slated for a 7 p.m. start.
DON'T MISS OUT
The UCF women's soccer team is set for its fifth season under head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak and will welcome six teams from the 2016 NCAA Tournament to the UCF Soccer Complex in 2017. Click here or call (407) 823-1000 for ticket information.
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Preseason Coaches' Poll
Place School Points (1st Place Votes)
1. Memphis 74 (5)
2. SMU 65 (3)
3. Cincinnati 60 (1)
4. USF 57 (1)
5. UConn 56
6. UCF 53
7. Tulsa 34
T8. East Carolina 18
T8. Houston 18
10. Temple 15
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Evelyn Viens, USF, So., F
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Vanessa Gilles, Cincinnati, Sr., D
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Vera Varis, UCF, Jr., GK
Preseason All-Conference Team
Vera Varis, UCF, Jr., GK
Saga Fredricksson, UCF, Sr., D
Julie Gavorski, Cincinnati, Sr., F
Vanessa Gilles, Cincinnati, Sr., D*
Olivia Gauthier, Memphis, Jr., D
Marie Levasseur, Memphis, Jr., F*
Jessica Lisi, Memphis, So., M/F
Andrea Haukadottir, USF, So., M
Evelyn Viens, USF, So., F*
Claire Oates, SMU, Sr., M
Allie Thornton, SMU, So., M
Vanessa Valadez,SMU, RS-Jr., F
Tana Dake, Tulsa, Sr., M
Rachel Thun, Tulsa, Sr., M
