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Women's Soccer

Three Tigers Named All-GSC for the 2021 Women’s Soccer Season

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The votes from the coaches in the Gulf South Conference are in, and three members of the West Alabama women's soccer team have been named All-GSC for the 2021 season. 
 
Midfielder Anele Komani has been named First Team All-GSC, while midfielder Kaylah Butterworth and forward Dana Cruz have been named Second Team All-GSC.

"Anele, is a four time First Team All-Conference player," UWA head coach Graeme Orr said. "An accolade that doesn't happen that often, which is a testament to the ability and talent she has. She is a joy to coach, and I couldn't be more happy for her."

"She is a sensational midfielder maestro, and I believe she is unstoppable," Orr said. "We will be reading about this kid for years to come in women's soccer."
 
Senior Komani scored five goals for the Tigers and passed one assist for 11 points. The London, England native has taken 43 shots, with 20 of those being on target, ranking her sixth in the conference for total shots. 
 
Komani has collected multiple postseason accolades during her time at UWA. She has been named First Team All-GSC all four years (2017-2020), earned a spot on UWA Women's Soccer Team of the Decade, and was an Honorable Mention for the GSC Women's Soccer Team of the Decade.
 
The midfielder has also been named D2CCA South All-Region First Team (2018), GSC Fall Academic Honor Roll (2018, 2020), USC South All-Region Second Team (2017, 2018), D2CCA South All-Region Second Team (2017, 2019), GSC Freshman of the Year (2017), and GSC Freshman of the Week twice (2017).

"Kaylah, leads the GSC in assists, which reflects the incredible levels of consistency she has performed during this season," Orr said. "This kid has a drive inside her and is essential to our principles of play. Delight for her as she deserves the recognition for her high standards."

Senior Butterworth leads the GSC in assists. The Mary Esther, Florida native, has passed 10 assists and scored one goal for a total of 11 points this season. The midfielder has taken 17 shots, with eight of them being on target. Butterworth has passed 13 total assists during her time as a Tiger, tying her with Ellie Mackenzie for fourth place for UWA individual career records in assists. The midfielder has been named to the GSC Fall Academic Honor Roll since 2018. 

"Dana, a young player with tremendous ability," Orr said. "She is exciting to watch because she plays with freedom and a smile on her face. For a true freshman to be recognized with majority of fifth year seniors highlights the respect the GSC coaches have for her talent."
 
The freshman of the group, Cruz, has been leading UWA's offense this season. The Fort Walton Beach, Florida native, has scored seven goals and passed one assist for 15 points, ranking her eighth in the conference for goals scored. She has fired off 21 shots, with 14 of them being on target. Cruz has had four game-winners during her freshman season, ranking her fourth in game-winning goals for the conference.
 
Women's soccer now moves into the first round of postseason play on Sunday, Nov. 7. The Tigers battle Mississippi College at Robert P. Longabaugh Field in Clinton, Mississippi. Kickoff time is set for 1 p.m. 
 
To stay connected with the UWA women's soccer team, follow @UWA_womenssoccer on Instagram and @UWAWomensSoccer on Twitter. General athletic news, along with game recaps and box scores, can be found at uwaathletics.com. Additional updates and information are available @UWAAthletics on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
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Players Mentioned

Kaylah Butterworth

#6 Kaylah Butterworth

MF
5' 6"
Senior
Anele Komani

#9 Anele Komani

MF
5' 3"
Graduate Student
Dana Cruz

#25 Dana Cruz

F
5' 2"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Kaylah Butterworth

#6 Kaylah Butterworth

5' 6"
Senior
MF
Anele Komani

#9 Anele Komani

5' 3"
Graduate Student
MF
Dana Cruz

#25 Dana Cruz

5' 2"
Freshman
F