MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Lauren Mercer represented the University of Tennessee Southern women's soccer program on the 2026 Southern States Athletic Conference Women's Soccer All-Tournament Team, as announced by the conference office following the conclusion of the SSAC Championship.
Mercer was the lone Firehawk selected to the all-tournament squad after helping lead UT Southern to the SSAC Semifinals. The senior was a key piece of a Firehawk team that finished the season with a 14-4-1 record, a No. 22 national ranking, and an appearance in the conference's final four.
The 2026 SSAC Women's Soccer Championship MVP was Elora Niederpruem of Life University, who posted shutouts in all three postseason matches, including victories over UT Southern and William Carey.
2026 SSAC Women's Soccer All-Tournament Team
- Elora Niederpruem, Life* (Championship MVP)
- Odalis Tapia, Life
- Isabelle Reyes, Life
- Victoria Valles, Life
- Kayla McMillian, Life
- Livia Pertl, William Carey
- Alba Aguado, William Carey
- Alicia Garwood, William Carey
- Kayla Martin, William Carey
- Eduarda Queiroz, Xavier
- Lauren Mercer, UT Southern
Mercer's selection adds to an impressive list of postseason honors earned by the Firehawks this season, which included Kamilia Tayebi being named SSAC Defensive Player of the Year, Sam De Gier earning the SSAC Golden Gloves Award, and six Firehawks receiving First-Team All-Conference recognition.
The Firehawks now await the announcement of the NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship field as they seek an at-large berth into the national tournament.
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