The University of Mississippi Athletics
Mott Names Soccer Trio Captains for 2019 Season
7/17/2019 | Soccer
Second-Year Captain Gabby Little Joined by Grace Johnson, Julia Phillips
OXFORD, Miss. โ Ole Miss head soccer coach Matt Mott has named his captains for the upcoming season, with 2018 captain Gabby Little being joined by junior Grace Johnson and fellow senior Julia Phillips in donning the armband for the Rebels in 2019.
"I'm very excited to announce Gabby, Julia, and Grace as our captains for this season," said Mott. "All three embody what it means to be an Ole Miss Rebel soccer player. They come from different backgrounds which I think will really enhance their ability to lead in different ways. I am really looking forward to them leading this year's team."
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One of two captains in 2018, Little returns to the role for her senior season, bringing the most experience on the roster with 62 appearances in her first three campaigns. The pacey winger has developed into one of Ole Miss' most important distributors, leading the Rebels with eight assists in 2017 and dishing out four more a year ago.
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"It means a lot to me to be put in this position again," said Little. "I don't take it lightly and I'm grateful for all that I learned in the past year as a leader that I can bring into this year. Being a captain again has given me so much motivation to be better on the field, in the classroom and around the community. In my final year as a captain I hope to help cultivate more leaders in this group and be a reliable outlet for my teammates to look to as an example and a friend."
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A starter in all 42 matches since stepping on campus, Johnson has established herself as an anchor on the backline for Ole Miss. In addition to locking down attackers from her center back position, the junior out of Centerville, Utah has shown an ability to get forward and provide in the attacking third as well, ranking second on the team with four assists in 2019 while scoring four times in her two seasons, including the game-winner in the Rebels' NCAA First Round victory at Clemson in 2019.
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"Being a captain in college has always been a goal of mine," said Johnson. "Every team needs strong leadership in order to be successful, and that's what we have on this team. We have a lot of leaders on this team, not just the captains, and I think that makes us special. There is a culture of pushing each other to become better as players and people. I am excited to help lead this team into a great season."
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After transferring to Ole Miss from perennial power Florida State in 2017, Phillips has become a fixture for the Rebs in the middle of the pitch over her two seasons in Oxford. Providing a link between the back line and the Rebel attack, the native Virginian has logged well over 1,000 minutes in her two seasons at Ole Miss, scoring three times with one assist in 2017.
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"It's an honor to be named a captain for ole miss considering the captains I have had in my time here," said Phillips. "Having the team and coaches feel confident in me as a leader means a lot. When I first transferred in I was so quiet and if it weren't for my teammates forcing me to come out my shell and talk I don't think I would have been given this opportunity now. I look forward to having a great season with the team."
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Soccer on Twitter atย @OleMissSoccer, on Facebook atย Facebook.com/OleMissSoccer, and on Instagram atย Instagram.com/officialolemisssoccer. Also follow head coachย Matt Mottย on Twitter atย @CoachMattMott.
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"I'm very excited to announce Gabby, Julia, and Grace as our captains for this season," said Mott. "All three embody what it means to be an Ole Miss Rebel soccer player. They come from different backgrounds which I think will really enhance their ability to lead in different ways. I am really looking forward to them leading this year's team."
ย
One of two captains in 2018, Little returns to the role for her senior season, bringing the most experience on the roster with 62 appearances in her first three campaigns. The pacey winger has developed into one of Ole Miss' most important distributors, leading the Rebels with eight assists in 2017 and dishing out four more a year ago.
ย
"It means a lot to me to be put in this position again," said Little. "I don't take it lightly and I'm grateful for all that I learned in the past year as a leader that I can bring into this year. Being a captain again has given me so much motivation to be better on the field, in the classroom and around the community. In my final year as a captain I hope to help cultivate more leaders in this group and be a reliable outlet for my teammates to look to as an example and a friend."
ย
A starter in all 42 matches since stepping on campus, Johnson has established herself as an anchor on the backline for Ole Miss. In addition to locking down attackers from her center back position, the junior out of Centerville, Utah has shown an ability to get forward and provide in the attacking third as well, ranking second on the team with four assists in 2019 while scoring four times in her two seasons, including the game-winner in the Rebels' NCAA First Round victory at Clemson in 2019.
ย
"Being a captain in college has always been a goal of mine," said Johnson. "Every team needs strong leadership in order to be successful, and that's what we have on this team. We have a lot of leaders on this team, not just the captains, and I think that makes us special. There is a culture of pushing each other to become better as players and people. I am excited to help lead this team into a great season."
ย
After transferring to Ole Miss from perennial power Florida State in 2017, Phillips has become a fixture for the Rebs in the middle of the pitch over her two seasons in Oxford. Providing a link between the back line and the Rebel attack, the native Virginian has logged well over 1,000 minutes in her two seasons at Ole Miss, scoring three times with one assist in 2017.
ย
"It's an honor to be named a captain for ole miss considering the captains I have had in my time here," said Phillips. "Having the team and coaches feel confident in me as a leader means a lot. When I first transferred in I was so quiet and if it weren't for my teammates forcing me to come out my shell and talk I don't think I would have been given this opportunity now. I look forward to having a great season with the team."
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Soccer on Twitter atย @OleMissSoccer, on Facebook atย Facebook.com/OleMissSoccer, and on Instagram atย Instagram.com/officialolemisssoccer. Also follow head coachย Matt Mottย on Twitter atย @CoachMattMott.
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Players Mentioned
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