AUBURN, Ala. – Coming off its fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance and 12th trip to the big dance in the last 13 seasons, the Auburn soccer program celebrated last fall's achievements at its annual team banquet over the weekend.
The 2018 Tigers started the season 9-0, marking the best start and longest winning streak in program history, and rose to as high as No. 9 in the rankings. The team ultimately finished the season with a 12-6-2 overall record. It marked the 17th winning season in 20 years under head coach Karen Hoppa, who earned her 300th career win during the season.
"We had a great banquet celebrating the 2018 team and all of the accomplishments from last season," Hoppa said. "We are especially proud of our seniors and look forward to what the future has in store for each of them.
Along with the team accolades, plenty of individual hardware was also handed out at the banquet. A list of awards is included below.
Most Valuable Offensive Player: Bri Folds and Treva Aycock
Most Valuable Defensive Player: Sarah Le Beau
Rookie of the Year: Hailey Whitaker
Barbara Camp Unsung Hero: Gianna Montini – presented to the player who was crucial to the performance of the team and went under the radar.
Most Improved Player: M.E. Craven and Dani Solaru
Coaches' Award: Ashton Brock – voted on by the coaching staff and based on a players' attitude and dedication; awarded to Brock for the second straight season.
Spirit Award: Katie Hickman – awarded to the player who best represents Auburn soccer both on and off the field.
Captain Award: Le Beau, Montini and Taylor Troutman
Academic Captain Award: Hickman and Jessie Gerow
Folds, who was also honored for earning All-Southeast Region and All-American honors from the United Soccer Coaches, led the team with nine goals and 25 points. She became the sixth player in program history to be named an All-American. Six of her nine goals were game-winners, which tied the single-season program record.
Aycock played and started in all 20 matches in her first season on The Plains. She ranked second on the team with seven goals, including three game-winners, and 20 points. She became the first Auburn newcomer with 20 points in a season since 2011 and was named Second Team All-SEC.
A four-year starter in goal, Le Beau turned in 72 saves and seven shutouts in 2018. She completed her illustrious career ranked second in program history in shutouts (28), third in goals against average (1.09) and fourth in saves (305). Le Beau also set the SEC record for consecutive starts in goal and tied the conference record for career starts by a goalkeeper (87).
Whitaker played in all 20 matches and garnered 16 starts while totaling 1,108 minutes on the pitch during her freshman season. She scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner in a 1-0 win at Missouri, and added three assists.
One of three senior captains, Montini logged 1,743 minutes of action in 19 starts, all while dealing with the death of her mother in the middle of the season. She scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner at Long Beach State and another in the Iron Bowl of Soccer, and totaled five points on the year.
Solaru played in 12 matches and earned three starts. She logged career highs in goals (two), points (five) and shots (12) en route to sharing the Most Improved Player award with Craven, who came on strong at the end of the season. The Cumming, Georgia, native made her collegiate debut at Texas A&M and ultimately played in seven contest with five starts. She was instrumental in a pair of SEC shutouts vs. Georgia and at Missouri.
The following statistical award were also presented.
Golden Glove: Sarah Le Beau (72 saves)
Golden Boot: Bri Folds (nine goals)
Leading Scorer: Bri Folds (25 points)
Assist Leader: Alyssa Malonson (eight assists)
Iron Woman: Sarah Houchin and Malonson (1,822 minutes played)