BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Auburn soccer players Sarah Houchin, Alyssa Malonson and Sydney Richards were named to the Southeastern Conference Soccer Preseason Watch List Thursday.
It marks the third straight season Malonson has earned the distinction and is the first for both Houchin and Richards.
Houchin enters her senior season having played and started on the back line in every game since stepping foot on campus in 2017. Recently named a team captain for the second straight season, she has helped lead the Tigers to 23 shutouts in the last three seasons. The Coppell, Texas, native was also named the team's defensive MVP and earned the Iron Woman Award in each of the last two seasons.
Malonson also made her way to the Plains in 2017 and, like Houchin, has played in started in every game since arriving. The Spring, Texas, native broke onto the scene as a SEC All-Freshman Team performer in 2017 and earned Second Team All-SEC honors after ranking third in league in assists (eight) the following season. Despite playing outside back, her 15 career assists are the second most by an Auburn player since 2017, trailing only Bri Folds.
Richards enters her second season in an Auburn uniform and is coming off a SEC All-Freshman Team performance a year ago. The Plano, Texas, native is the Tigers leading returning goal scorer after registering four goals in 2019. She scored the game-winning goal in double overtime at Alabama, one of her two game-winners on the season, and went on to be named the team's Rookie of the Year.
The Tigers begin the 2020 season, which consists of eight conference-only contests, Friday vs. Mississippi State at 6 p.m. CT at the Auburn Soccer Complex. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network.