The ACU women’s soccer team pulled in three major awards with sophomore forward Andrea Carpenter and senior defender Lyndsey Womack each being announced as Daktronics Division II All-Americans and head coach Casey Wilson being named South Central Region Coach of the Year.
Carpenter was named to the second team All-America team in honor of a season that included 16 goals and 35 points. She was previously slated as the Daktronics South Central Region and Lone Star Conference Player of the Year this year.
“I feel very honored to receive this kind of recognition, but this is a team award,” Carpenter said. “I would not be where I am without all of the great players I’m constantly surrounded by who making playing for ACU such a joy.”
Womack was recognized as an All-America Honorable Mention after achieving a school-record 11 shutouts in leading the ACU defense this season. Womack’s presence on the defense was a large part of the team’s success.
“What makes Lyndsey great is her drive, determination and competitiveness that she constantly shows on the playing field,” Wilson said. “She gives 100 percent all the time and serves as inspiration and motivation for everyone out there with her. She makes everyone around her a better player. That is what being an All-American is all about.”
Womack scored a goal against Truman State and was credited with three consecutive game-winning assists this season. Two of those assists were fed to fellow All-American Carpenter in 1-0 wins over Midwestern State and Eastern New Mexico.
This recognition was the first for Womack, a redshirt senior, who was a part of two first team all-conference teams. Her first role was as a forward in 2009 and her second as a defender in 2011.
Womack was tabbed to the All-South Central Region and Academic All-Region 6 first teams as well as being chosen the conference’s Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 28.
“Lyndsey is exactly the kind of player you want as a teammate and as a best friend,” said junior midfielder Julie Coppedge. “Not only is she an awesome person, but she is a phenomenal soccer player. She has more heart than anybody, and her spirit is constantly uplifting.”
Wilson saw that five years ago when the ACU women’s soccer program recruited its first batch of players to join the new program.
“Lyndsey was the first player that we recruited to come to play here, and we did so because of the same qualities that she has displayed during her tenure here,” Wilson said. “No one works as hard as she does. She can play any position on the field and make an immediate impact.”
Womack contributed 18 goals and 13 assists to the program during her tenure, but Wilson said what she really brought could not be measured in statistics.
“Anyone can have skills and be a gifted player, but how you choose to use them defines who you are,” Wilson said. “Using those God-given skills to making other people better is what being an athlete is all about, and no one better epitomized that than Lyndsey.”
This marks Carpenter’s second All-America honor, as she was a third-team selection last year following a 48-point freshman campaign.
She now holds a program-record 38 goals through two seasons and finishes the 2011 season tops in the nation with eight game-winning goals.
“Andrea is one of the best athletes I’ve ever had the privilege of coaching,” Wilson said. “She is so gifted on the field and it has been a blessing witnessing that for two years.”
Following a record-breaking freshman year, Wilson expected opponents to focus on limiting her touches by placing multiple defenders around her at all times, and they did just that.
“I knew teams were going to heavily key on her this year,” he said. “And I was never worried about her offensive output or attitude as a result. She’s competitive by nature and grinds it out no matter how many defenders are on her.”
“She is every player’s dream to have on her team,” Coppedge said. “I love the fact that I can give her the ball and she’ll score. She has a positive attitude and works hard all the time.”
Wilson was named the NSCAA South Central Region Coach of the Year Monday after the Wildcats won their first regional title as well as an Elite Eight appearance at the NCAA Championship. He has led the program since its inception in 2007 en route to a (64-31-7) record, including a 37-5-2 mark the past two seasons.
His tenure has included four LSC conference tournaments, two NCAA Championships and one conference title.
“Casey has been the catalyst behind our program since day one, and where we are today is a tribute to all of the work he has put into the program,” Coppedge said. “We are so grateful he is our coach and love him so much.”
