University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Caroline Houser Named Big South Freshman of the Year
10.31.2014 | Women's Soccer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Women's soccer player Caroline Houser has been named Big South Conference Freshman of the year by the league's coaches on Friday. The announcement came from the Big South Conference this afternoon.
Houser earned a spot on the league's All-Conference second team and is a member of the Big South All-Freshman team.
The Chapel Hill native led Asheville in goals scored with six and was second on the team in points with 16. She led the team in shots taken with 66 and scored the game-winning goal against Coastal Carolina on Oct. 18 at Greenwood Field. Houser was one of three players to start and play all 19 times this year for the Blue & White.
“Caroline Houser is an incredible athlete and competitor. I knew she would be a special player for us and had no doubt her abilities could win her the freshmen of the year award,” stated Bulldog coach Michelle Demko. “She is relentless in her pursuit of the ball and so dynamic off the dribble and when she strikes ball, making her difficult to defend. There is so much more potential in her, and I am excited to coach her for the next three years.”
In addition, senior midfielder Amanda Dailor earned first team All-Conference honors. Dailor led the Bulldogs in scoring with 18 points. She tied for the league lead in assists with eight and was named Big South Attacking Player of the Week once this year. The California native started and played all 19 matches for the Bulldogs in 2014.
“Amanda Dailor has been a tremendous leader for our team since her freshmen year and she continued to grow every year,” said Demko. “She is very deserving of being recognized by fellow coaches who we played during the course of this year. I am ecstatic for this send off for her senior year.”
Senior goalkeeper Heather Muller earned Big South Honorable Mention honors and for the second straight year earned a spot on the Big South All-Academic team. She led the Big South Conference in saves with 103, including 11 against Coastal Carolina. Muller posted five shutouts on the year, three in BSC play. All three league shutouts were by a 1-0 score.
“Heather Muller is an exceptional goalkeeper. She is truly gifted in goal and has developed into one of the best goalkeepers in our league,” declared Muller. “Heather has emerged into a leader via her communication, focus on the field and presence in goal. Her athleticism and kicking game has been part of our game plan each and every game and she has been clutch for us. This is a great way for her to be recognized as a senior leader on our team and in our conference.”
Demko was pleased to have three Bulldogs get recognized by the league's coaches.
"I am beyond excited and proud of our players being recognized by the Big South Conference for their abilities and hard work on the field,” stated Demko. “This truly is a great time in our soccer program. These awards are a culmination of everyone showing up on a daily basis not accepting anything less than excellence from each other. That is the reason these players are recognized. I am proud to be in a program where player development is the focus. It has been an honor to coach this group!"
