Texas Tech University Athletics
Davis, Hiatt, White Named Preseason All-Big 12
August 06, 2020 | Women's Soccer
Red Raiders one of two schools to take up three spots on coach-voted preseason team.
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech earned three spots on the Big 12's annual Preseason All-Big 12 Team, the conference announced Thursday. The Red Raiders were represented on both sides of the ball and in net as reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Kirsten Davis and All-American defender Cassie Hiatt were joined by last season's Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Madison White.
Davis' selection to her first All-Big 12 preseason team was all but in inevitable after a 2019 campaign for which she was named a First Team All-American and MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist. The St. Louis, Mo., native tied the program record for game-winning goals in a season with six. In total, she tallied 16 goals while assisting on seven more for 39 points, which ranks second in school history for a single season.
"Kirsten had a great year last year, but there is still more to come her," said head coach Tom Stone. "With Kirsten, it's clear she's one of the top forwards both in the league and in the country."
"This is a great honor," Davis said of her first career preseason award. "I'm really excited to have others on our team also recognized by the coaches. I'm looking forward to a great season."
Hiatt's dominance on the back line was rewarded with her second career preseason nod after being the lone Tech player voted on entering 2019. The six-foot Parker, Colo., native made the move from outside back to center back during her sophomore season and excelled, anchoring a Red Raider defense that again posted the lowest goals against in the Big 12. Hiatt was a First Team All-Midwest selection before being voted a Third Team All-American. She is the second defender in school history to earn the title behind former Red Raider Jaelene Daniels (neé Hinkle).
"Cassie has been our anchor," Stone said. "In some ways, center backs and holding mids are the unsung heroes for teams. I love this recognition for Cassie because, from the moment she stepped on the field for us, people have noticed that our defense got a huge boost."
"It's always an honor to represent Tech as a top player in the Big 12," Hiatt said. I couldn't be more excited to play with my team again and make the most out of this season."
While Davis and Hiatt were firmly etched into the scouting reports of the rest of the conference's coaches entering 2019, Madison White emerged from nowhere and took the league by storm. After getting the nod from Stone after an injury to Marissa Zucchetto against No. 22 USF in September, White made seven saves in 69 minutes to clinch the 2-1 upset in Tampa. She would follow with a shutout of No. 18 Oklahoma State in her first collegiate start. Four more times she would post clean sheets as the awards rolled in. By season's end, she would claim spots on three TopDrawerSoccer.com Teams of the Week, win a record-tying six Big 12 Player of the Week awards and be voted Big 12 Freshman of the Year, First Team All-Midwest, First Team All-Big 12 and Big 12 All-Freshman.
"Madi deserves all the respect that she's earned," said associate head coach Gibbs Keeton, who oversees goalkeepers. "As we saw last year, she thrives at being at the top. Our expectation for her is to be the best in the Big 12. This recognition gives her the opportunity to step up and lead both in the conference and on her team, and that's what we're most excited about."
"I'm very thankful to be recognized," said White. "I am so excited to play this season with this team."
The Big 12 will announce its preseason coaches poll Friday at 3 p.m.
Preseason nods for ??!
— Texas Tech Soccer (@TexasTechSoccer) August 6, 2020
One on offense, one on defense, and one in net.
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Davis' selection to her first All-Big 12 preseason team was all but in inevitable after a 2019 campaign for which she was named a First Team All-American and MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist. The St. Louis, Mo., native tied the program record for game-winning goals in a season with six. In total, she tallied 16 goals while assisting on seven more for 39 points, which ranks second in school history for a single season.
"Kirsten had a great year last year, but there is still more to come her," said head coach Tom Stone. "With Kirsten, it's clear she's one of the top forwards both in the league and in the country."
"This is a great honor," Davis said of her first career preseason award. "I'm really excited to have others on our team also recognized by the coaches. I'm looking forward to a great season."
Hiatt's dominance on the back line was rewarded with her second career preseason nod after being the lone Tech player voted on entering 2019. The six-foot Parker, Colo., native made the move from outside back to center back during her sophomore season and excelled, anchoring a Red Raider defense that again posted the lowest goals against in the Big 12. Hiatt was a First Team All-Midwest selection before being voted a Third Team All-American. She is the second defender in school history to earn the title behind former Red Raider Jaelene Daniels (neé Hinkle).
"Cassie has been our anchor," Stone said. "In some ways, center backs and holding mids are the unsung heroes for teams. I love this recognition for Cassie because, from the moment she stepped on the field for us, people have noticed that our defense got a huge boost."
"It's always an honor to represent Tech as a top player in the Big 12," Hiatt said. I couldn't be more excited to play with my team again and make the most out of this season."
While Davis and Hiatt were firmly etched into the scouting reports of the rest of the conference's coaches entering 2019, Madison White emerged from nowhere and took the league by storm. After getting the nod from Stone after an injury to Marissa Zucchetto against No. 22 USF in September, White made seven saves in 69 minutes to clinch the 2-1 upset in Tampa. She would follow with a shutout of No. 18 Oklahoma State in her first collegiate start. Four more times she would post clean sheets as the awards rolled in. By season's end, she would claim spots on three TopDrawerSoccer.com Teams of the Week, win a record-tying six Big 12 Player of the Week awards and be voted Big 12 Freshman of the Year, First Team All-Midwest, First Team All-Big 12 and Big 12 All-Freshman.
"Madi deserves all the respect that she's earned," said associate head coach Gibbs Keeton, who oversees goalkeepers. "As we saw last year, she thrives at being at the top. Our expectation for her is to be the best in the Big 12. This recognition gives her the opportunity to step up and lead both in the conference and on her team, and that's what we're most excited about."
"I'm very thankful to be recognized," said White. "I am so excited to play this season with this team."
The Big 12 will announce its preseason coaches poll Friday at 3 p.m.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
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