The University of Mississippi Athletics
Hildal, Souza Named Preseason All-SEC By CollegeSportsMadness.com
8/14/2012 | Soccer
Aug. 14, 2012
OXFORD, Miss. - As the Ole Miss soccer team prepares for the season opener on Friday night, a pair of Rebels were tabbed for preseason honors when CollegeSportsMadness.com named senior midfielder Alix Hildal and junior forward Rafaelle Souza as All-SEC selections heading into the 2012 campaign.
Hildal and Souza were both named as second team selections to the website's All-SEC team.
"It's certainly an honor that we feel both players deserve," said Ole Miss head coach Matt Mott. "Both players have worked hard and it's nice to see them recognized among the top soccer players in the Southeastern Conference."
A two-time All-SEC selection, Hildal comes into her senior season looking to help lead Ole Miss back to the NCAA Tournament as the Rebels begin the third season of the Matt Mott era. A year ago, Hildal started all 19 games, finishing fourth on the squad in points (11) and goals (4). In addition to her All-SEC honors, she was also named an All-South Third Team selection.
Hildal delivered the game-winning goal for the Rebels in an overtime victory at Kentucky last season.
Souza also looks to figure into the Rebels' success in 2012 after finishing her first year with the Rebels as the team leader in goals (9), assists (7) and points (25) in the 2011 campaign. It was one of the best seasons ever for a newcomer at Ole Miss despite missing four games due to injury. Souza finished the season tied for fifth in the Southeastern Conference in game-winning goals (4), ninth in points (25) and tied for ninth in the league in goals (9).
The duo will take the field with the Rebels on Friday night at 7 p.m. when the Rebels kick-off the 2012 season at home against Saint Louis at the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium. Admission to all matches is free to the public.
