Senior duo earns NSCAA all-region honors

Candace Cephers was named to the All-Southeast Region Second Team list, while Tiernan landed on the third team ballot

December 1, 2016

BLACKSBURG - Seniors Candace Cephers and Murielle Tiernan of the Virginia Tech women’s soccer team earned All-Southeast Region honors by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Cephers was named to the All-Southeast Region Second Team list for the first time in her career, while Tiernan earned regional honors for the third year in a row, landing on the third team ballot. Of note, Tiernan also was listed as a first team member her sophomore and junior season.

Cephers, a native of Aurora, Colorado, has played a pivotal role at the midfield position, starting every match for the Hokies’ since 2014. She finished third on the team with seven points, tallying three goals and one assist on the year. Additionally, Cephers hit her fifth game-winning goal of her career in the team’s 2-1 win over Mississippi State at the 2016 College of Charleston Tournament, scoring back-to-back goals in 87 seconds to secure the victory.

A two-time All-ACC Third Team honoree, Cephers ended her Hokie career with 16 goals and 33 points. She also is tied for fifth on the all-time list in games played (88).

Tiernan, a native of Ashburn, Virginia, appeared in all 19 of the team’s matches this season, earning 15 starts at the forward position. She paced the Hokie offense with a team-leading 10 goals and 20 points and tallied a team-high five game-winning goals this season.

A three-time All-ACC First Team nominee, Tiernan completed her Hokie career with 49 goals and 112 points, both atop the all-time lists at Virginia Tech. She also leads the all-time lists in game-winning goals (23) and multiple goal games (9) and is tied for seventh in assists (14).

Of note, Tiernan also was named to the 2016 CoSIDA Academic All-District 3 First Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. The Academic All-District Team award honors the nation’s top student-athletes for their performances on and off the field.

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