Complete RRAC All-Conference Teams
Men    Women

FORT WORTH, Texas – The results of the Red River Athletic Conference coaches’ poll were released this morning, announcing the all-conference teams for men’s and women’s soccer. Texas Wesleyan was represented on both.

Women's Soccer
Jessica Carrion, a freshman forward from Fort Worth Western Hills high school, was named to the all-conference first team and was also honored as the conference Newcomer of the Year. Carrion, who won conference player of the week honors three times during the season, scored a total of 25 goals on the year, including six in a November 3rd game against Texas A&M International – good for a fifth-place tie in the all-time NAIA record books for a single game.

Carrion, who also had five assists on the season, helped lead the 9-8 Lady Rams to their first-ever playoff appearance, but was injured and unable to participate in the 6-0 loss to Bacone College.

Despite being targeted by opposing teams, Carrion fought through consistent double coverage to lead the conference in goals, goals per game, points, and points per game, and finished ninth in the conference in assists.

“Obviously, I’m happy for J,” said Wesleyan head coach Steve Jones. “She worked hard and played very well this season. She certainly deserves this award. In fact, she probably deserves a little more than what she got.”

Jones is referring to the Conference Offensive Player of the Year award, which went to Bacone College freshman Emily Nickelback, also from Fort Worth. Nickelback finished the season a distant second to Carrion in every major offensive statistical category.

Said Jones, “Emily is a great player, but I don’t know why [Carrion] didn’t win that one. I don’t think I’ll ever understand it.”

Men’s Soccer
For the men, freshman defender Eddie Hernandez and senior keeper Josh Gibbs received honorable mention for their efforts this season.

Hernandez, who played in all 17 of Wesleyan’s games, received his honor despite playing a position that doesn’t produce the stats coaches often remember as they fill out their ballots. He had no goals and just one assist on the year, but was a tenacious defender, a constant disruption to the opposing offensive attack.

“Most of the time, it seems the post-season recognition for defensive players goes to sweepers because they can jump up and join the attack more easily, but Eddie is the kind of player you have to have to be successful in soccer,” says Steve Jones, who also assumes head coaching responsibility for the men’s team. “He plays the game hard and unselfishly. He knows his role and what it means to our team. I’m really happy for him, and I’m glad that kind of effort was rewarded.”

Gibbs wins his honor despite starting the season as an assistant coach. Initially choosing to forgo his final season of eligibility to prepare for a career in coaching, he didn’t take the field until the eighth game. Once he did, he became on of the top keepers in the conference, averaging over 10 saves per start and allowing just 1.67 goals per game. The Rams, who had a record of 1-6 before Gibbs returned, went 5-5 to close out the season.

“Josh is a natural leader,” said Jones. “He gets so fired up on the field that the other players can’t help but feed off of all that energy. He understands our strategy and always knows where everybody should be at any given time.”

“Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great keeper too. He kept us in several games where, being such a young team, we were a little outmatched. But his biggest asset as a player is that he’s like having a coach on the field, and he’s going to be a great one on the sidelines someday, too.”