Jan. 9, 2008

Two members of the UTEP soccer team have been rewarded for their stellar seasons in 2007, as Jami Tullius and Tameka Sumter each garnered placement on all-region squads.

Tullius been tabbed to the NSCAA second-team all-region squad and third-team all-region by SoccerBuzz while Sumter was selected to the third-team NSCAA all-region squad.

Earning placement on the all-region squads is a fitting way for Tullius to conclude her career. She is the only player in program history to top the 100-point barrier (114), and holds school standard for goals (48) and match-winning strikes (13).

She was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in program history to be so honored with the distinction. Tullius had a banner regular season, leading UTEP's prolific offense with 13 goals and eight assists for 34 point.

The 34 points paced C-USA, with the next closest player checking in with 25 points. Her total of 13 goals also led C-USA. Tullius managed to find time to be a playmaker too, registering eight assists to place third in the league. Tullius was especially impressive in Conference USA games. In nine league tilts, she racked up 20 points. The next closest player only tallied 15. Tullius did so with eight goals, two better than the No. 2 scorer, and shared the league lead with four helpers.

Sumter, a rising junior who this year became the second-fastest Miner to 20 career goals, also had a sensational season. She garnered placement on the All C-USA second team, racking up 11 goals, five assists for 27 points. The goals and point totals trailed only Tullius among all league players at the end of the regular season.

Sumter was especially effective in non-conference play, rolling to 10 goals which helped spark the Miners' offensive attack.