Souza Named All-America By NSCAA

Photo courtesy of Joshua McCoy / Ole Miss Athletics

OXFORD, Miss. – Senior forward Rafaelle Souza has been named a second team All-America selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America with the release of the organization’s post-season honors, continuing the string of accolades for the Rebel this season.

Souza, who was also tabbed as an All-Southeastern Conference selection, the SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year and an All-Region first team selection, helped lead Ole Miss to the most successful season in school history in 2013 and has been widely recognized for her contributions to the Rebel program.

She was also named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, the award presented annually to the top collegiate soccer player in the country.

Souza helped the Rebels to a 16-6-2 record and a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The 16 wins marked the most in school history, while the Rebels also hosted an NCAA Tournament game for the first time with a 9-0 win over Jackson State in the opening round.

Ole Miss finished fourth in the overall standings in SEC play with a 7-3-1 record and the squad spent seven weeks ranked in the top 25, marking the longest time spent in the rankings by a Rebel team in a single season.

Souza tallied 22 goals on the season, finishing third nationally in goals and one shy of the top spot in the country. She also finished second nationally in points with 50 after adding six assists to go along with her 22 goals. Souza finished atop the SEC standings in both categories this season.

Her 22 goals and 50 points moved her to first on the career list in both categories at Ole Miss with 44 goals for her three-year career and 107 points. Souza delivered six game-winning goals on the year and posted multiple goals in seven matches, including a hat trick against Jackson State in the NCAA Tournament opening round.

She was also named a Capital One Academic All-America selection.