Lions!
Submitted by Habtom Keleta, M.A.
SCAD Savannah’s Sydney Chura has been named the Sun Conference Player of the Year as well as the Offensive Player of the Year. In her senior campaign, Chura led the conference in goals, goals per game, points, and points per game, while ranking second in both assists and shots. During conference play, she scored 10 goals and tallied four assists. Chura started and played in all 16 games for the Bees, leading the team to their second consecutive SUN Regular Season Title and securing the top overall seed in the Sun Conference Tournament.
Keiser’s Georgia Little has been honored as this year’s Defensive Player of the Year. Little anchors the backline of the No. 2 nationally ranked Seahawks. This season, Keiser is tied for first in the league in both goals allowed and shutouts. Little played a key role in helping her team claim the Sun Conference Regular Season Co-Championship alongside the Bees. In addition to her defensive contributions, Little assisted on three goals in conference play and totaled five assists overall.
SCAD Savannah’s Saga Bryntesson earned dual honors as the Golden Glove award winner and Freshman of the Year. The Golden Glove, a new addition to this year’s awards, is given to the top goalkeeper in the league. Bryntesson led the SUN in several key categories, including goals allowed (4), goals-against average (0.5), save percentage (.857), wins (5), and shutouts (4). She recorded 39 saves this season, with 24 coming in conference play.
Florida Memorial University Head Coach
Marc Lue Young was named Coach of the Year. Lue Young led the Lions to their most successful season in program history, achieving their first-ever appearance in the Sun Conference Tournament Championship. Just a year ago, the Lions secured their first conference win since 2016. This season, they finished with a 4-5-2 conference record and an 8-7-2 overall mark. Three Lions players earned All-Conference honors: First Team defender Rudo Marufu, Second Team forward Sierra Bartley, and Second Team goalkeeper Lucia Martinez Garcia.
Warner’s Juanita Parra Acosta received this year’s Champion of Character award. A leader both on and off the field, Parra Acosta serves as captain for the Royals while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and graduating through the Honors Program. Despite working multiple jobs alongside her athletic career, she demonstrated remarkable generosity, even housing teammates during this year’s hurricane season. Her head coach, Payton Chitwood, praised her, stating, “The NAIA’s Champions of Character traits perfectly describe Juanita. She’s one of the best captains I’ve ever had, excelling both on the field and in all aspects of her life.”
2024 Sun Conference Women’s Soccer Award Winners
Player of the Year
Sydney Chura, F, SCAD Savannah
Offensive Player of the Year
Sydney Chura, F, SCAD Savannah
Defensive Player of the Year
Georgia Little, D, Keiser
Golden Glove
Saga Bryntesson, GK, SCAD Savannah
Freshman of the Year
Saga Bryntesson, GK, SCAD Savannah
Coach of the Year
Marc Lue Young, Florida Memorial
Champion of Character
Juanita Parra Acosta, MF, Warner
