NEW ORLEANS – University of South Alabama Junior left back Tilly Wilkes was named preseason all-conference Defensive Player of the Year as well as to the preseason all-conference team along with three more soccer players. In addition, South Alabama was picked to win the Sun Belt receiving nine of 11 first place votes.

The defender was joined by midfielders – sophomore Gracie Wilson junior Brenna McPartlan and graduate student Athanasia Moraitou – on the list of 11 honorees.

All four Jags have previously won awards at the conference level. In 2019, Wilson was selected at the league's Freshman of the Year while Moraitou was named Newcomer of the Year. McPartlan took Freshman of the Year honors in 2018. Wilkes was honored as defender of the week on two occasions last season during the weeks of Sept. 17 and Oct. 15. Moraitou, Wilson and Wilkes claimed a spot on the all-Sun Belt first team in last year, with McPartlan landing in the second team.

The four USA student-athletes named were more selections than any other Sun Belt member with Arkansas State receiving two representatives and five institutions each having one player named.

South has brought the regular-season Sun Belt title back to Mobile four of the last five seasons while collecting an NCAA Tournament automatic bid for winning the postseason conference tournament in six of the last seven. The Jaguars accomplished both in 2019.

Head coach Richard Moodie
On the award winners: "I always say it is an honor for the student-athlete and an honor for South Alabama to win any award, but this one is based on last year and projections. It is on us to still go out and make sure those projections are correct."

On Tilly Wilkes: "She is an unbelievable person, student and soccer player. In terms of consistency, buy-in and training, she is a next level athlete and we are fortunate to have her. She brings a lot to this team and deserves the recognition."

Tilly Wilkes
On earning the honor: "My Freshman year (Hannah) Godfrey got it and I looked up to it at that point as an achievable goal. While I am thankful for the honor and I appreciate the recognition, I am still more focused on the team getting a trophy at the end of the season than individual accolades. If we do what we are capable of on the pitch, it will take care of itself in the end."

Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)

South Alabama (9) – 119 pts
Troy (1) – 97 pts
Arkansas State (1) – 86 pts
Texas State – 84 pts
Coastal Carolina – 74 pts
Louisiana – 74 pts
Georgia State – 66 pts
Georgia Southern – 43 pts
Little Rock – 40 pts
App State – 27 pts
ULM – 16 pts

Defensive Player – Preseason All-Conference
Tilly Wilkes, South Alabama

Offensive Player – Preseason All-Conference
Sarah Sodoma, Arkansas State

Preseason All-Conference Team
Sarah Sodoma, Arkansas State (F)
Jimena Cabrero, Georgia State (F)
Sunny Sigurvinsdottir, Coastal Carolina (F)
Brenna McPartlan, South Alabama (M)
Gracie Wilson, South Alabama (M)
Athanasia Moraitou, South Alabama (M)
Tilly Wilkes, South Alabama (D)
Gwen Mummert, Louisiana (D)
Kate Eubanks, Troy (D)
Megan McClure, Arkansas State (G)
Kerry Eagleston, App State (G)

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Upper 90 Club, the soccer specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All gifts to the Upper 90 Club go directly to support the South Alabama soccer program. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/upper90