Harvey, Watt and Alston Claim MVP Honors at Team Awards Banquet

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M Soccer held its annual awards banquet Saturday evening to celebrate the 2017 campaign which culminated in the Aggies' 23rd consecutive NCAA Championship bid and third SEC Tournament Championship.

The positional Most Valuable Player honors were bestowed upon SEC Tournament MVP and two-time All-American Mikaela Harvey, chosen as Midfield MVP, All-SEC forward Ally Watt, selected as Offensive MVP, and sophomore defender Briana Alston, tabbed Defensive MVP.

Addie McCain was awarded Newcomer of the Year after being selected to the SEC All-Freshman squad, while Watt won Leading Scorer by virtue of her 38 career points on 18 goals, including a program-high four goals against Missouri in the SEC Tournament. McCain and Emily Bates were also recognized for leading the team in assists during the 2017 season.

Stephanie Malherbe was celebrated for her dedication in the area of strength, conditioning and sports performance with the Maximum Performance Award.

Rheagen Smith and McKayla Paulson received the 12th Man Award and Spirit of Aggieland Award, respectively, for their positive attitudes as teammates, leaders and Aggies. The Perseverance Award honors were shared by Harvey and Jenna Byers.

Sophomore standout Cienna Arrieta was awarded the title of Most Improved Player. Arrieta racked up 10 points on the season with three goals and four assists.

For her performance in the classroom, McKayla Paulson earned the Lafield Academic Excellence Award. Paulson also garnered Academic All-District VII distinction from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for the second time during her collegiate career.

The event also honored athletes and staff in several athletic and academic areas. Awards included recognition from various soccer media organizations and other outlets apart from Texas A&M University.

In 2017, the Aggies finished the season with an 18-2-2 record, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Championship.
 
 
TEAM AWARDS
 
Offensive MVP: Ally Watt
Midfield MVP: Mikaela Harvey
Defensive MVP: Briana Alston
Leading Scorer: Ally Watt
Leading Assists: Emily Bates and Addie McCain
Perseverance Award: Mikaela Harvey and Jenna Byers
Newcomer of the Year: Addie McCain
12th Man Award: Rheagen Smith
Spirit of Aggieland Award: McKayla Paulson
Most Improved: Cienna Arrieta
Maximum Performance Award: Stephanie Malherbe
Lafield Academic Excellence Award: McKayla Paulson
 
CONFERENCE, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS
NSCAA All-America: Mikaela Harvey – Second Team (midfielder)
NSCAA All-Southeast Region: Mikaela Harvey – First Team (midfielder), Ally Watt – First Team (forward), Stephanie Malherbe – Third Team (midfielder)
TopDrawerSoccer.com Best XI: Mikaela Harvey – Third Team (midfielder)
TopDrawerSoccer.com Freshman Best XI: Addie McCain – First Team (midfielder)
CoSIDA Academic All-District VII: McKayla Paulson (defender)
NSCAA Scholar All-West Region: Stephanie Malherbe – Second Team (midfielder)
All-SEC:  Ally Watt – First Team (forward), Mikaela Harvey – First Team (midfielder), Kendall Ritchie – Second Team (defender)
SEC All-Freshman Team: Addie McCain
SEC Tournament MVP: Mikaela Harvey
SEC Tournament All-Tournament Team: Mikala Harvey, Stephanie Malherbe, Kendall Ritchie, Ally Watt
NSCAA 2016-17 Team Academic Award
SEC Community Service Award: Haley Pounds
MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List: Ally Watt
TDS Final Top 100: Mikaela Harvey (No. 27), Ally Watt (No. 68)
TDS Final Top 100 Freshmen: Addie McCain (No. 19)
TDS Midseason Top 100: Haley Pounds (No. 33), Ally Watt (No. 41), Mikaela Harvey (No. 66)
TDS Midseason Top 100 Freshmen: Addie McCain (No. 12), Jimena Lopez (No. 30)
TDS Preseason Top 100: Haley Pounds (No. 34), Ally Watt (No. 40), Mikaela Harvey (No. 92)
SEC Player of the Week: 8/21 – Jimena Lopez (freshman), 9/25 – Cienna Arrieta (offensive), 10/2 – Ally Watt (offensive), Cosette Morché (defensive)
TDS Team of the Week: 8/22 – Jimena Lopez (defender), 9/26 – Cienna Arrieta (midfielder), 10/17 – Briana Alston (defender), 11/7 – Mikaela Harvey (midfielder)