Hennek, Smith, Brown named All-OVC second team

As the 2008 Golden Eagle soccer season ends, three Tech players were honored with All-OVC accolades. Senior Kristin Hennek and sophomores Ashley Smith and Taren Brown all earned a spot on the All-OVC second-team.

"These young ladies are very deserving of this honor," coach Becky Fletcher said. "It's nice to see their work recognized by everybody else in the OVC."

Hennek, a defender from Marietta, Ga. started 19 of 20 games for the Golden Eagles, and had one assist. She will graduate in May with a degree in exercise science.

Smith, a psychology major, finished the 2008 campaign as Techs leading scorer with seven goals, and also led the Golden Eagles in assists with three. She ranked second in the OVC in goals with seven, and her 17 points on the season were good for third in the conference. Ashley also scored two game-winning goals.

Brown, who was voted a team captain by her teammates before the season began, is receiving OVC honors for the second straight season. Last year, as a freshman, Brown made the OVC all-newcomer team. She was also recently recognized with academic all-district honors.

Tech has had three defensive player and three freshman of the year awards, and one coach of the year award, in addition to earning 38 spots on all-conference teams in its 11 year history.

In addition to Brown, current Golden Eagle Jennifer Hoffman has received OVC honors in the past. Hoffman earned a spot on the all-OVC second-team and all-newcomer team as a freshman in 2006.

Murray State was rewarded for its regular season championship season, with coach Bech Acreman earning the Brine OVC Coach of the Year award, and goalkeeper Tara Isbell taking home defensive player of the year honors. Morehead State's Jillian Birchmeier, who had a four-goal showing against Tech, was named OVC freshman of the year, and shared offensive player of the year honors with Eastern Kentucky's Kayla Swearingen.