| Senior Ezinne Okpo earned first-team All-Southland honors for the second time in three years on Tuesday. |
FRISCO — UTSA senior Ezinne Okpo was named first-team All-Southland Conference for the second time in her four-year career, while juniors Allison Dillon and Chelsea Zimmerman picked up second-team honors and sophomore Taylor Padia and freshman Dacia Webb collected honorable mention accolades, the league office announced on Tuesday.
“I am proud of these ladies because they have done a tremendous job this season,” head coach Steve Ballard said. “I'm especially happy for Ezinne, who was named to the first team. She has done an excellent job on and off the field throughout her four-year career.”
Okpo, who is a three-time all-conference performer, picked up her second first-team honor in three years. The Denton native has anchored a Roadrunners defense that has posted six shutouts this season. She has seen action all 20 matches (19 starts) and leads the squad 1,599 minutes this fall.
Dillon, who was an honorable mention choice a year ago, was tabbed second team after leading the Roadrunners with 15 points and five assists this season. The Yorba Linda, Calif., native also tops the squad with three game-winning goals and stands second with five winners.
Zimmerman, who missed most of the 2008 season due to injury, earned her third all-conference award. The Mansfield native has played in all 20 matches, including 19 starts this season. She ranks second on the team with four assists and is tied for third with four goals.
Padia, meanwhile, leads the team in with 15 points and six goals in addition to ranking third with three assists. The Kingwood native has played in all 20 matches, including making one start.
Webb, who was a three-time Southland Goalkeeper of the Week recipient this fall, has started all 20 matches and produced a UTSA single-season record 116 saves. The Rosenberg native also set the school mark for most saves in a match with 16 against Stephen F. Austin on Oct. 25.
The fifth-seeded Roadrunners (9-9-2) will face No. 4 seed Sam Houston State (8-9-2) Thursday night in first-round action of the 2009 Southland Conference Tournament in Natchitoches, La.