A pair of SEMO Soccer student-athletes earned All-Ohio Valley Conference honors last week. Sophomore midfielder Esmie Gonzales was named First-Team All-Ohio Valley Conference and freshman forward Lexi Grote claimed All-Newcomer accolades, the league announced during its pre-tournament banquet.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Gonzales ranks fourth in the OVC with eight goals this season. She also rates among the top five in the conference in shots, shots per game, points and game-winning goals. Gonzales's six goals in OVC play are a league-high.
In two years as a Redhawk, Gonzales netted 14 goals and eight assists. She led the team in each of those categories both of her seasons at Southeast. Gonzales picks up First-Team All-OVC laurels after she was both a Second-Team and All-Newcomer selection a year ago.
Grote, who hails from Granite City, Illinois, is having a strong rookie campaign.
Grote has two goals and three assists for a total of seven points this season. She recorded 13 shots, including seven on goal. Grote scored the game-winning goal in overtime to beat Tennessee Tech during the Redhawks first OVC game of the year.
Southeast – the fifth seed in the OVC tournament – advanced to the semifinals of the OVC Tournament last weekend but ultimately lost to top-seeded Murray State, which went on to win the tournament championship.
The Southeast Volleyball team is home this weekend as they close out their regular season schedule – the Redhawks play tonight at 6:30 and tomorrow at 2 p.m. Meanwhile, the Redhawk men’s basketball team opens its regular season tonight at home. Southeast hosts Missouri Baptist at the Show Me Center, with tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Follow Redhawk Athletics on Twitter @GoSoutheast.
