Two Hokies earn NSCAA Scholar All-East Region award

Seniors Murielle Tiernan and Candace Cephers were recognized by the NSCAA for their outstanding work in the classroom

January 6, 2017

BLACKSBURG – Seniors Murielle Tiernan and Candace Cephers of the Virginia Tech women’s soccer team have been named to the 2016 NSCAA NCAA Division I Women’s Scholar All-East Region Second Team list.

The senior duo was recognized by the NSCAA for their outstanding work in the classroom. Tiernan, a residential environments and design major, maintained a 4.00 grade point average (GPA), while Cephers, who is majoring in biology, held a 3.93 GPA throughout the fall semester.

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 was most recently named to the 2016 CoSIDA Academic All-District 3 First Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. She also earned NSCAA All-Southeast Region honors for the third year in a row, landing on the third team ballot. Additionally, Tiernan was named to the 2016 Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) Women’s Soccer University Division All-State First Team list for the fourth year in a row.

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).

Of note, Cephers was most recently named to the NSCAA All-Southeast Region Second Team. Cephers also was named to the 2016 VaSID Women’s Soccer University Division All-State Second Team ballot. Both honors were awarded to Cephers for the first time in her career.

For updates on Virginia Tech women's soccer, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_WSoccer