Two Selected To SEC Preseason Watch List
8/17/2016 3:23:00 PM | Soccer
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –Alabama soccer's senior Celia Jimenez Delgado and sophomore Emma Welch were selected as players to watch in this year's Southeastern Conference coaches preseason list for the upcoming season, as announced Wednesday by the SEC offices.
Last season, Jimenez led the team in points (10), goals (4), game-winning goals (2), shots (55) and shots on goal (18). Her 55 shots tied for the seventh-most in a season in program history. Those 55 shots were also the eighth-most shots taken by a player in the SEC. Jimenez also finished second on the team in assists (2) last season. The talented midfielder has quality international experience, as she was a member of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Spanish National Team.
Welch enters her sophomore season after having a successful freshman year, as she led the team in assists (4) and tied for fourth with shots (24). Her best performance last season came with a game-winning goal and a pair of assists in the 3-2 double-overtime victory against LSU. She made the most starts by a freshman (17) on the team, and was the only freshman to play in all 19 matches for Alabama. Welch's notable performances last season earned her a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team, marking the first Crimson Tide freshman to earn that honor since 2012.
The Crimson Tide will kick off the 2016 regular season against the Sam Houston State Bearkats on Friday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. CT at the Alabama Soccer Complex. Admission is free for all fans and students, and freshmen will have an opportunity to enter to win a Go-Pro and a soccer ball signed by head coach Wes Hart.
Get all the latest information on the team by following AlabamaSoccer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
