JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After being named a Second Team All-Atlantic Sun Conference and All-Freshman Team selection following a five-goal freshman campaign, Austin Peay State University soccer sophomore forward Aniyah Mack became the first player in program history to be named to a Preseason All-ASUN selection, the league announced Wednesday.

"Aniyah had a really good freshman year," said head coach Kim McGowan. "She took the pressure of the leading goal-scorer in stride and continued to excel in the spring with the rest of our attacking unit. She sets her expectations and standards high for herself. Always taking extra reps, coming back to camp fit, and constantly finding the back of the net for the team. It shows that the conference respects her for what happened last season, and I have full faith she'll prove it again."

Mack led the Govs with five goals in 2023, which also ranked second in the ASUN Conference, and finished second among the league's freshmen. She also led all Govs and tied for sixth in the ASUN with a pair of game-winning scores.

The Cincinnati, Ohio native's goal count was the most by Gov since Claire Larose's seven in 2018, and were the most by an APSU freshman since McKenzie Dixon's nine in 2015.

In addition to goals, Mack also paced the team in shots on goal and shots with 21 and 34, respectively. 

Mack scored her first-career goal in a 1-1 draw at North Dakota State, and proceeded to score in three-straight matches, with goals at Chattanooga and Morehead State – the longest goal-scoring streak by a freshman in program history. 

Mack's fourth goal of the season was a 55th-minute game-winner in the ASUN opener against Bellarmine during a 2-1 victory against the Knights. Her final score of her freshman season – also in game-winning fashion – came in a 3-2 win at Jacksonville in the 83rd minute. 

The Govs were 3-1-1 when Mack found the back of the net last season.

Mack and the rest of the Govs unofficially open the 2024 season tomorrow when they face Belmont in a 6:30 p.m. match at E.S. Rose Park in Nashville.

ASUN Preseason Awards

Preseason Player of the Year: Ashley Labbe, FGCU
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Reese Mendenhall, FGCU
Preseason Midfielder of the Year: Erika Zschuppe, FGCU
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year: Olivia Molina, FGCU

Preseason All-ASUN Team

Aniyah Mack, Austin Peay
Kendal Gargiula, FGCU
Ashley Labbe, FGCU
Alice Bussey, North Alabama
Kelly Van Gundy, Central Arkansas
Erika Zschuppe, FGCU
Bella Carapazza, Lipscomb
Reese Mendenhall, FGCU
Zara Siassi, North Florida
Lucy Ream, Lipscomb
Olivia Molina, FGCU

Preseason Coaches Poll

1. FGCU (9) - 140
2. Lipscomb (3) - 132
3. Central Arkansas - 108
4. North Alabama - 100
5. EKU - 93
6. North Florida - 92
7. Austin Peay - 77
8. Bellarmine - 53
9. Queens - 49
10. Stetson - 48
11. Jacksonville - 30
12. West Georgia - 14

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