“I appreciate the recognition for Lindsey Tully because she has definitely earned the respect through her performance in Sun Belt matches,” head coach Sarah Strickland said.
Tully was a dominant presence at center back all season and the most consistent defender for the Mountaineers last season, locking down opponents well enough to be voted first-team all-Sun Belt by the league. Starting and playing every second of all 20 matches in 2015, tallying 1,880 minutes, Tully helped the Mountaineers shut out six opponents and limited opposing teams to one goal or less in 15 of 20 matches.
The junior played a key role in the Mountaineers' tournament run last season, helping hold Little Rock to just one goal, and keeping Appalachian tied with No. 1 seed and top-ranked offense, South Alabama, for two overtimes, ending the Jags' 11-match win streak and forcing PKs – App lost 12-11. Tully also does the job on the offensive side, especially off set pieces. Her game-winning header off a corner kick against UL-Lafayette proved to be a highlight for Appalachian. She had one goal, one assist and 11 shots.
With the Mountaineers coming off a successful second season in the Sun Belt Conference, they ranked fourth with 81 points. Coming in first in the coaches poll was South Alabama, who led the way with 120 points and 10 first-place points, while Troy finished second in the poll with 102 points. Conference newcomer Coastal Carolina edged out Appalachian for the third-place spot with 86 points. Rounding out the top 5 is Troy who finished with 77 points.
Last season, the team went 10-6-4 (5-3-1 Sun Belt), finding their rhythm at the right time and going into the conference tournament hot. After earning their first conference tournament win against Little Rock to advance to the semifinals, the Black and Gold squared off against the No. 1 seeded South Alabama. After holding the Jaguars to two goals and scoring two of their own, the team went into two overtimes as neither team refused to lose. Finally, in PKs, App lost by one goal, but not before showing the conference they could take the top-ranked team to the limit.
The Mountaineers begin the 2016 regular season Friday when they host Northern Kentucky at the Appalachian Soccer Stadium at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
2016 Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference Team
Jennifer Wittick (Georgia Southern, Senior, Forward)
Yazmin Montoya (UL Lafayette, Senior, Forward)
* Chardé Hannah (South Alabama, Junior, Forward)
** Lauren Prater (Texas State, Senior, Forward)
** Caitlyn Eddy (Little Rock, Sophomore, Midfielder)
* Suzanne Arafa (Georgia State, Senior, Midfielder)
* Danielle Henley (South Alabama, Junior, Midfielder)
* Lindsey Tully (Appalachian State, Junior, Defender)
* Steffi Hardy (South Alabama, Junior, Defender)
** Jemma Purfield (South Alabama, Sophomore, Defender)
* Mikki Lewis (Troy, Junior, Goalkeeper)
* - denotes 2015 First-Team All-Conference | ** - denotes 2015 Second-Team All-Conference
2016 Sun Belt Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year
Chardé Hannah (South Alabama, Sophomore, Forward)
Lauren Prater (Texas State, Senior, Forward)
2016 Sun Belt Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Steffi Hardy (South Alabama, Junior, Defender)
2016 Sun Belt Women's Soccer Preseason Poll (first-place votes in parentheses)
1. South Alabama (10) - 120 pts
2. Troy - 102 pts
3. Coastal Carolina - 86 pts
4. Appalachian State - 81 pts
5. Little Rock - 77 pts
6. Texas State - 76 pts
7. Georgia Southern - 53 pts
8. Georgia State - 49 pts
9. UL Lafayette (1) - 46 pts
10. Arkansas State - 20 pts
11. UL Monroe - 16 pts
