All-league teams announced at OVC banquet Wednesday evening

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — A second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection for the second consecutive year, Tennessee Tech junior Leigh Heffner has again been recognized as one of the top defenders in the conference.

The league released its postseason honor roll Wednesday, with the Arvada, Colo., native one of six defenders honored. Voting for the All-OVC teams was conducted among the league’s coaches and sports information directors.

“Leigh was a true anchor for this season,” said head coach Daniel Brizard. “She was a leader not only for our defense, but for the rest of our team by the example of hard work and dedication she set. I am so happy she has been recognized by our conference again as one of the best defenders in our league.”

Heffner started 18 of 19 games this season and played 1,666 minutes on the Golden Eagles’ back line. She finished her junior campaign with one goal, six shots, four shots on goal and a .667 shot-on-goal percentage.

She scored her first career goal in overtime of an Oct. 16 Senior Day match against Austin Peay at Tech Soccer Field, lifting Tech to a 1-0 victory. Heffner scored on a header off a well-placed Sarah Gawthrop corner kick in the 98^th minute, ending the match with just more than a minute remaining on the clock in the first overtime period.

She was named OVC Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 18 for her efforts in matches against Austin Peay and Murray State on Oct. 14. She played all 188 minutes of the games and anchored a back line that shut out APSU, the Golden Eagles’ second shutout of the season.

Heffner, a product of Faith Christian Academy, has now played in 57 matches in her three-year TTU career.

The full postseason all-OVC team is listed below:

2011 ALL-OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAMS1

(As selected by OVC women’s soccer coaches and sports information directors)

FIRST TEAM

Player, School Yr. Pos. Hometown

Ashton Aubuchon, Southeast Missouri So. GK Florissant, Mo.

Melissa Govea, UT Martin Sr. D Hendersonville, Tenn.

Sophie Hargreaves, Murray State Sr. D Leeds, England

Nikki Edwards, Southeast Missouri Sr. D Calgary, Alberta

Lauren Bozesky, Southeast Missouri Sr. MF St. Louis, Mo.

Brittany Kiracofe, Morehead State Sr. MF Ottawa, Ohio

Julie Mooney, Murray State Fr. MF St. Peters, Mo.

Brooke Robertson, UT Martin Sr. MF Olathe, Kan.

Tatiana Ariza, Austin Peay So. F Bogota, Colombia

Jessie Crabtree, Southeast Missouri Sr. F Marion, Ill.

Erin Shulman, Southeast Missouri Fr. F Bloomington, Ill.

2011 OVC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jessie Crabtree, Southeast Missouri

2011 OVC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Melissa Govea, UT Martin

2011 OVC FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Erin Shulman, Southeast Missouri

2011 OVC COACH OF THE YEAR: Heather Nelson, Southeast Missouri

SECOND TEAM

Player, School Yr. Pos. Hometown

Annie Wickett, Eastern Kentucky Fr. GK Fredrick, Md.

Katelyn Geddings, Jacksonville State Jr. GK Warrior, Ala.

Lauren Fant, Eastern Kentucky So. D Rochester Hills, Mich.

Leigh Heffner, Tennessee Tech Jr. D Arvada, Colo.

Deja Tennon, Eastern Kentucky Jr. D Centerville, Ohio

Natalia Ariza, Austin Peay So. MF Bogota, Colombia

Chelsea Pelletier, Jacksonville State Sr. MF Fort Worth, Texas

Vanessa Hart, Southeast Missouri Sr. MF Dubbo, Australia

Kristin Germann, Eastern Kentucky Jr. F Carbondale, Ill.

Meagan Iffrig, SIUE So. F St. Charles, Mo.

Emily Perkins, Austin Peay Jr. F Nashville, Tenn.

ALL-NEWCOMER

Player, School Yr. Pos. Hometown

Erin Shulman, Southeast Missouri Fr. F Bloomington, Ill.

Jessie Crabtree, Southeast Missouri Sr. F Marion, Ill.

Julie Mooney, Murray State Fr. MF St. Peters, Mo.

Annie Wickett, Eastern Kentucky Fr. GK Fredrick, Md.

Emily Perkins, Austin Peay Jr. F Nashville, Tenn.

Holly Tilley, Morehead State R-Fr. F Columbus, Ohio

Amy Maksimowicz, UT Martin Fr. D Nashville, Tenn.

Michelle Auer, SIUE Fr. F St. Louis, Mo.

Midori Sera, UT Martin Jr. MF San Francisco, Calif.

Meagn Radloff, Eastern Illinois Fr. MF West Chicago, Ill.

Paige Larkin, Eastern Kentucky Fr. D Cerrtos, Calif.