.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Goalkeeper Ann Shelton Claims NCAA Statistical Title
1/17/2006 | Soccer
Jan. 17, 2006
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - After allowing just three goals during a stellar 2005 season, Ole Miss sophomore goalkeeper Ann Shelton collected the best goals-against average mark in Division I women's soccer with a 0.268 average, as announced recently by the NCAA Statistics Department.
Shelton helped lead Ole Miss to the program's third Southeastern Conference West Championship and third trip to the NCAA Tournament, as well as a new school record with 14 regular-season victories.
"Ann is the type of player that is always striving to be better," said Rebel goalkeepers coach Melinda Smith. "She has great athletic ability. She is dominant in the air and is able to win crosses and balls that are sent into the box with her excellent reactions. She has definitely earned this honor because of the time she has put in to becoming better."
Along with her SEC-record 0.268 GAA, Shelton entered the NCAA record books with 771:17 consecutive shutout minutes, which is one of the 15 best goalkeeper runs in the sport's history. She did not allow a goal in 14 straight contests, including all but the final regular-season SEC match.
The Tullahoma, Tenn., native helped Ole Miss to a school-record 12 team shutouts in 2005 and a conference record with eight shutouts in SEC play.
Splitting time in goal with fellow sophomore Megan Vickery, Shelton amassed 40 saves and just three goals allowed in 1008 minutes played. She notched a pair of individual complete-game shutout efforts in back-to-back matches against Charlotte and at Georgia.
The Freshman All-SEC pick in 2004 is not just a standout athlete, she has also excelled in the classroom while at Ole Miss. A junior academically, Shelton maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA through her first two years in Oxford.
The marketing communications major was a second-team honoree on the 2005 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District VI team. She is also a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member and a lock for the 2005 list to be released later this week.
