Rivera Earns Auburn Soccer's First NSCAA All-America Award, Steinmann and Carnes Named To All-Region Teams 

January 6, 2003

AUBURN – Auburn sophomore goalkeeper Megan Rivera has been named to the All-America third team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, as announced by the association. Rivera becomes the first Auburn player in history to earn the prestigious award from the NSCAA.

Also honored by the NSCAA in their end of the season awards are sophomore forward Sarah Steinmann and junior defender Sandy Carnes, who were named to the all-region team. Steinmann, who was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, earned a spot on the first team all-region along with teammate Rivera. Carnes, who was second team All-SEC in 2002, was named to the third team.
 
“We are very excited to have our first NSCAA All-American in Rivera, as well as three all-region players honored. These honors are a great reflection of our team’s success this season,” head coach Karen Hoppa said. Hoppa, the former Karen Richter, was married to Scott Hoppa on Dec. 14, 2002.

Rivera, a Miami, Fla., native played to a 13-5-2 record this season, with an impressive goals against average of 0.79 in those 20 games. The goalkeeper earned Auburn’s first-ever All-America honor last season, when she was named to the Soccer Buzz All-American Third Team and First Team Freshman All-American.

A banquet honoring the NSCAA All-Americans will be held Jan. 18 in Kansas City, Mo., as part of the NSCAA Convention.

Auburn, as a team, finished 15-5-2 in 2002 earning the team’s first regular season SEC title and the Tigers’ first-ever trip to the second round of the NCAA Championships.