Four Tigers Named to SEC Watch List
8/14/2015 1:22:00 PM | Soccer
Four members of the Mizzou soccer team earned spots on the SEC Preseason Watch List
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Four members of the Mizzou soccer team earned spots on the Southeastern Conference Preseason Watch List, the league announced on Thursday (Aug. 13).
Seniors Candace Johnson and Reagan Russell, both 2014 All-SEC second team selections, as well as junior Melanie Donaldson and sophomore Kaitlyn Clark were named the the Watch List, which is released in place of a preseason All-SEC team.
Johnson earned her 2014 All-SEC second team nod after anchoring a defense that notched six shutouts a year ago. She started 21 games at center back last season, scored a goal against Montana and led all Mizzou field players with 1,929 minutes played. In her Tiger career, Johnson has seen action in 61 games with 60 starts and tallied goals goals for eight points.
As a junior in 2014, Russell posted a career year with 18 points on seven goals and four assists for 18 points en route to All-SEC honors. She started 21 of 22 games in midfield and notched goals against LSU (two), Kansas, Auburn, Vanderbilt, SMU and UT Martin. In three years, Russell boasts career numbers of 30 starts in 64 games played and 26 points on 10 goals and six assists.
Donaldson is a two-year starter in the midfield, earning starts in 39 of her 42 career games. As a sophomore in 2014, she tallied goals against Georgia and Montana and added an assist against Kentucky to total five points. Donaldson accumulated seven points on three goals and an assist in 2013 as a freshman.
Clark earned a spot on the 2014 SEC All-Newcomer Team after starting 19 of 22 games in the midfield as a freshman last season. She notched eight points on two goals and a team-high tying four assists and had a team .516 shot on goal percentage. She also claimed SEC Newcomer of the Week honors after scoring a goal and dishing out an assist against LSU.
The Tigers conclude exhibition play on Saturday, Aug. 15 when the squad travels to Kansas City to face Arkansas at 7 p.m. at Swope Park. Admission to the match is free.
