Oklahoma State University Athletics
Four Cowgirls Named Preseason All-Big 12
August 09, 2012 | Cowgirl Soccer
Aug. 9, 2012
IRVING, Texas – Four Oklahoma State players were named to the 2012 Preseason All-Big 12 Conference soccer team, it was announced by the league today.
Three Cowgirl seniors — goalkeeper AD Franch, defender Carson Michalowski and forward Megan Marchesano — made the team, while junior midfielder Taylor Mathews also earned the distinction.
OSU's four selections tied West Virginia for the most in the conference, with Texas and Texas Tech each placing two players on the squad. The Preseason All-Big 12 team is selected by the league's head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own players.
Franch has been an All-Big 12 First Team honoree in each of her three seasons with the Cowgirls. A two-time All-American, Franch has led the conference in shutouts for three-straight years and owns OSU's career record with 32 shutouts. She also sports a 0.58 goals against average for her career, which ranks third all time in the Big 12.
Michalowski was an All-Big 12 First Team selection a year ago after helping anchor an OSU defense that led the NCAA with 18 shutouts and a 0.34 goals-against average. An All-Big 12 Second Team pick in 2010, Michalowski has started 72 games in her Cowgirl career.
Marchesano earned All-Big 12 honors for the first time as a junior as she was named to the league's second team as a utility player after recording five goals and 10 assists. She enters her final collegiate season on the verge of cracking OSU's top 10 career list in goals (17) and assists (14).
Mathews was OSU's leading scorer in 2011, recording 25 points and nine goals and seven assists. She ranked in the top 10 in the league in all three categories, and her 71 shots placed her fifth.
The No. 5 Cowgirls open the 2012 season with an exhibition match Saturday against Arkansas at the Cowgirl Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
