Nov. 11, 2001

CHICAGO - Last Tuesday, November 6, Conference USA announced its women's soccer all-conference teams at a banquet in Milwaukee prior to the kickoff of the conference tournament on November 7. The tournament was being hosted by Marquette University. The Charlotte 49ers placed seven players on the teams, including one player who was selected to two different teams.

The 49ers landed a player on the first team for the seventh straight season, as defender Mikel Casey (Greensboro, N.C./Grimsley) was honored for having a career season. Casey finished second on the team with 11 points behind three goals and five assists, all career-highs. It marked the second straight season Casey has been a member of the all-conference teams. In 2000, she was named third team all-Conference USA.

Charlotte placed four players on the second team. Junior forward Jennie Leeder (Spring, Texas/Klein), the team's leading scorer with 12 points and five goals, senior midfielder Dawn Geyer (Bellbrook, Ohio/Alter), sophomore defender Kim Moore (Garner, N.C./Saint Mary's), and junior goalkeeper Jenn Howell (Marietta, Ga./McEachern) were recognized for their efforts this past season.

Geyer finished her 49er career in the top 10 in school history for goals and points, after recording three goals, this season, all against C-USA foes. Moore, the team's sweeper, anchored a defense that finished in the top three in the league for GAA. Howell set three school records after returning this season from a torn ACL she suffered last Oct. 13. The injury last season did not stop Howell from being named to the second team all-conference team for the second straight year. She set new school records for season GAA (0.93), career shutouts (14), and career saves (234).

On the third team, a pair of 49ers were selected. Freshman forward Leslie Canales (Raleigh, N.C./Enloe) and junior defender Shannon Roberto (Fairfield, Ohio/Badin) represented Charlotte.

Canales was also recognized by being a member of the league's all-freshman team, also the seventh straight year the 49ers have had at least one player honored.

The 49ers ended the season with a 1-0 double-overtime loss against Marquette in the C-USA semifinals. In the quarterfinal round, the Niners tied East Carolina, 0-0. However, following eight consecutive penalty kick makes by each team, Howell stopped the next Pirate attempt, which set up the winning PK by Casey, to allow the 49ers to advance to the next round. Charlotte (9-7-4) did not win ten games in a season for the first time in school history.