Oates Named Conference Rookie Of The Year
Nov 6 | Women's Soccer
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (The American/SMU) – Freshman midfielder Claire Oates was named the American Athletic Conference’s Rookie of the Year, league officials announced on Thursday.
Oates is the first Mustang to receive the award since Kimber Bailey was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year in 2004.
The Long Beach, California, native also landed on the all-rookie team and the all-conference second team. Alongside Oates, Rachel Thun of Tulsa was also named conference Rookie of the Year.
Oates led the team in both points (13) and goals (6) this season. In SMU’s 3-2 victory over in-state rival Houston on Sept. 25, she recorded a hat trick and remains the only student-athlete in the conference to record one this season. She also tallied the game-winner in the team’s come-from-behind victory over UTSA on Sept. 7.
Oates started all 21 games this season and was second on the team in minutes played with 1,816.
Read the full conference release here.
