BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Little Rock Soccer has made history this season, becoming the first team since Women's Basketball in 2011 to win multiple conference Player of the Year awards while racking up a total of six conference honors.
Peyton Urban was named Goalkeeper of the Year and earned All-OVC First Team recognition, while
Mykena Turner was honored as Defender of the Year and also secured a spot on the All-OVC First Team. Additionally,
Amaya Arias and
Candice Kilderry were named to the All-OVC Second Team, setting a new program record for conference awards in a single season.
For the first time in program history, Little Rock Soccer boasts the Goalkeeper of the Year. Peyton Urban has delivered arguably the best season in goal by a Trojan. The Austin native set a new single-season shutout record (10), tied the career shutout record (16), ranks sixth in career saves (179), and posted the second-highest save percentage in a season (0.848). Urban set the tone for the season early, recording a clean sheet against Arizona State with seven saves on 22 shots, marking the program's first result against a Power 4 school since 2016. Urban also landed on the All-OVC First Team.
"I couldn't be happier for Peyton being recognized as Goalkeeper of the Year. She has been growing as a person and a keeper since her first day on campus. This award is a testament to all the incredibly hard work she has put into training, and I feel like this year, she has developed the poise and confidence to bring it all together. With her shot-stopping skills, her ability to command her back line, and her control of the box, I think it's well-deserved for her to be recognized as the best goalkeeper in the league. I'm incredibly proud of Peyton and all the effort she's put in to achieve this award, and I can't wait to get back to work to see what heights she'll reach next."
Michael O'Hare on Peyton Urban winning Goalkeeper of the Year
Mykena Turner has achieved another program milestone, earning Little Rock's first Defender of the Year honors after leading the strongest defensive line in the OVC. The South Dakota State transfer arrived in Little Rock in spring 2023 and has been an everyday starter since. Her immediate impact and leadership led head coach
Kelly Farrell to name her captain in her first season as a Trojan. This year, Turner guided the Trojans to tie the record for fewest goals allowed (16) and post the third-lowest goals-against average (0.89). Known for her vocal presence from the back line, the Nebraska native is consistently one of the hardest workers on the field. Turner also earned a spot on the All-OVC First Team.
"I am so proud of Mykena for being honored as the OVC Defender of the Year. She has put in the hard work since the moment she stepped on campus, and I am thrilled that she's been recognized for her efforts. Mykena has been the backbone of our defense; she's not only a tremendous player but also an exceptional leader for our group. We named her a team captain after just one semester on campus, and she has been instrumental in building our team culture and serving as an extension of our coaching staff on the field. I'm incredibly thankful for Mykena's trust as she closes out her college career as a Little Rock Trojan."
Kelly Farrell on Mykena Turner winning Defender of the Year
On the offensive side, sophomore
Candice Kilderry earned her first All-OVC recognition, landing a spot on the All-OVC Second Team. She was a force on offense this year, posting 13 points with 6 goals and 1 assist. Kilderry played and started in all 18 games this season, logging 1,428 minutes. The Melbourne native made her mark in the record books, tying for the third-most game-winning goals in a single season (4) and ranking eighth for career game-winning goals (5). Kilderry took the conference by storm in her sophomore season and continues to live up to the hype.
In addition to Kilderry,
Amaya Arias earned a spot on the All-OVC Second Team for the third consecutive year. Arias played and started in all 18 games this season, logging 1,417 minutes. The junior midfielder showcased her versatility by filling multiple roles for the Trojans, playing over 75 minutes in 14 games. With this recognition, Arias now has four conference awards, including three All-OVC Second Team honors and an OVC All-Newcomer award from her freshman year. Since her arrival in 2022, Arias has been a consistent starter in the midfield and one of the cornerstones of the Trojans' recent success.
With a record-setting six conference accolades for the 2024 season, head coach
Kelly Farrell is focused on finishing strong in the OVC Conference Tournament. The Trojans have a well-deserved weekend off and will return to action on Thursday, November 7th, in the OVC semifinals at the host site, Tennessee Tech.
For the latest information on Little Rock Soccer, check out LRTrojans.com. You can also follow the team on social media at @LittleRockSOC on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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