Brown Named Defender to Watch by United Soccer Coaches
8/6/2024 4:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — 2023 Big West Defensive Player of the Year Emma Brown, as stalwart on the Cal Poly backline for the last three years, was one of 26 players in Division I named a “Defender to Watch” by the United Soccer Coaches ahead of the 2024 season.
Brown — the fifth player in program history and first since 2009 to be crowned the Big West Defensive Player of the Year — started in all 21 matches for the Mustangs last season, playing every minute in 19 matches and racking up 1,837 minutes on the pitch, the most on the team among field players. Brown’s performance allowed her to secure an All-Big West First Team selection for the second straight season. The Clovis, Calif., native also became just the fourth player in program history to receive three United Soccer Coaches All-West Region selections, grabbing a spot on the Second Team in 2023 for the second time.
Entering her final year as a Mustang this fall, Brown has started in 44 consecutive matches and 57 of the 60 matches she has appeared in during her career. The senior has played over 5,139 minutes on the pitch without receiving a card across three seasons.
Brown was also selected to the United Soccer Coaches' Preseason Watch List in 2022.
The watch list is made up of United Soccer Coaches All-Americans and first or second team All-Region players from 2023, who are returning in 2024. A watch list for goalkeepers was released last week, and one for midfielders and forwards will be announced Friday, Aug. 12 and Tuesday, Aug. 16 respectively.
“Entering the 2024 season, these previous honorees represent some of the best at their positions,” said Ralph Polson, Senior College All-America Administrator. “As pre-season training opens, we are pleased to recognize these outstanding student-athletes from our member schools.”
The preseason accolades have started to roll in for the heart of our backline!!
— Cal Poly Women's Soccer (@CPWomensSoccer) August 7, 2024
Senior Emma Brown has been named a "Defender to Watch" by the @UnitedCoaches ahead of the upcoming season ??
??: https://t.co/Mye4mcQhrN#RideHigh???? pic.twitter.com/GnMzBWVlud
