Schleif Chandler earn All-SEC honors

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Kim Schleif and Allie Chandler, two members of the University of Arkansas soccer team, have each earned All-Southeastern Conference honors, the league announced on Tuesday.

Schleif, a senior defender from San Antonio, Texas, has been named second-team All-SEC by the league’s coaches. She was an SEC All-Freshman selection in 2006.

Chandler, a forward from Mesquite, Texas, has been named to the league’s all-freshman team.

“Kimmie is very deserving of this recognition,” head coach Erin Aubry says. “She transitioned from an attacking position to an outside back in her senior year and did it seamlessly. There is a lot to be said for a player to step up and help the team the way she did this year. She has left her footprint on this program and we will miss her heart and work ethic greatly.”

Schleif started all 19 games, one of only three Razorbacks to do so, and played 1,712 minutes, which was second only to sophomore Kailey Anders’ 1,764. She had one goal with 17 shot attempts, including eight on goal.

Her defense helped Arkansas set school records with 10 shutouts, four SEC shutouts and a 0.80 goals against average.

“Allie is extremely dynamic and I’m happy our SEC peers are rewarding her ability to play at a high level,” Aubry says. “She has matured a great deal this year and has stepped up both on and off the field to make us better. Her growth from game to game has been extraordinary and I’m looking forward to coming years with her in a Razorback jersey. We have yet to see what she’s truly capable of.”

Chandler started 14 games and played in all 19. She led the team with five goals, 12 points, 71 shots and 34 shots on goal. She was fifth in the SEC in shots (71) and fifth with 3.74 shots per game. She played 1,167 minutes, which ranked seventh on the team.

“Overall, those two players gained individual success because of the team effort,” Aubry says. “I can’t stress enough how important each and every one of their teammates were in this process. Players can only succeed individually when the team has done its job. I am so proud of all our goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, forwards and those on the bench for helping Kimmie and Allie rise to their potential.”

The Razorbacks finished 8-7-4 this year after going 11-8-0 in 2008, giving the program consecutive winning seasons for the first time in school history.

Aubry also became the first first-year coach in program history to record a winning record. She is the seventh coach in program history. Two went .500 in their first year – Marcia McDermott (7-7-1) in 1990 and Janet Rayfield (10-10-0) in 1993.