AUBURN, Ala. — Four members of the Auburn soccer team have been awarded College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors, as announced by CSC Tuesday. Each woman will be eligible for the succeeding Academic All-American ballot.
Representing Auburn on this year's list are Sammie Brown, Anna Haddock, LJ Knox and Mallory Mooney.
"We are so proud of these four players for being great examples of what it means to be a student-athlete," Tigers head coach Karen Hoppa said. "They work diligently to take care of their business on the field and in the classroom. We're thankful that CSC has created a platform to celebrate well-rounded young women such as them."
It was a breakout year on the pitch for Brown with a massive increase in playing time as the Tigers' primary holding midfielder. She appeared in all 20 contests and started 19, teaming up with the Orange & Blue backline to solidify seven shutouts. Brown sparked Auburn's comeback victory at Army West Point with the first goal of her collegiate career coming in the 38th minute. Auburn went on to seal the 3-2 win and hand the Black Knights their first loss at home since the 2021 season.
Academically, the Morgantown, West Virginia native boasts a 3.90 cumulative GPA while pursuing her degree in biomedical sciences. Brown is a three-time member of the SEC's Academic Honor Roll as well as a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society.
Haddock continued to pace the Auburn offense over the course of the 2023 season. The senior started all 20 matches and ranked second on the team with 1,734 minutes played. She scored four goals and assisted on seven others. With 31 total assists in her career, Haddock stands third all-time in program history and needs 11 to tie Katy Frierson's (2008-11) school record of 42. Haddock will return for her final season next fall.
In the classroom, the Bowling Green, Kentucky product earned her undergraduate degree in management a year early with a 3.97 cumulative GPA. She is currently pursuing her MBA in Auburn's Harbert College of Business. Haddock was also named SEC Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the 2023 season.
Knox stepped up as the Tigers' iron woman this season, going the distance in 19 of 20 matches. She played 1,787 total minutes and recorded the most by any field player in the SEC during the regular season. The Brentwood, Tennessee native was a major contributor to Auburn's seven clean sheets, which also included a 0.90 goals-against average in league play. Knox also came up clutch on offense and sealed the Orange & Blue's 2-1 win at Syracuse with her first career goal, a game-winner, off a corner kick in the 61st minute.
While studying human development and family sciences, Knox owns a 3.92 cumulative GPA. She is a two-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll as well as the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society. Knox was rewarded for her communal impact with a spot on the 2023 SEC Community Service Team.
The fourth and final Tiger on this year's All-District team, Mooney, assisted the Tigers on both offense and defense. The Broomfield, Colorado native started all 20 matches at left back and ranked third on the squad with 1,705 minutes played. In addition to locking down the seven shutouts, Mooney also tallied a trio of assists, all of which came on game-winning goals.
Academically, Mooney is double majoring in marketing and management. She owns a 3.71 cumulative GPA. Like her teammates, she is a recurring member of the SEC's Academic Honor Roll as well as a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society.
The Academic All-District Women's Soccer Team recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.50 GPA, have a minimum of one year completed at their current institution and have played in at least 90% of their team's contests from the current season.
A complete list of Academic All-District honorees can be found here.