11/4/2026 4:12:00 PM | Women's Soccer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla – The ASUN Conference announced its 2026 Women's Soccer postseason awards Wednesday afternoon, with Queens University of Charlotte freshman defender Cerys Neil earning a spot on the ASUN All-Freshman Team. Neil becomes the first Royal to receive the honor since the 2023 season.
The United Kingdom native quickly established herself as a key contributor to the Royals' backline throughout her debut campaign. After coming off the bench in the opening three matches, Neil earned her place in the starting lineup and developed into one of Queens' most reliable defenders. She appeared in all 17 matches, making 12 starts while logging a team-high 1,351 minutes on the pitch. Her durability and consistency were evident throughout the season, as she played the full 90 minutes on eight occasions, the most of any Royal.
Neil's impact was particularly evident during conference play, where she led all ASUN freshmen in minutes played and was one of just two freshmen across the conference to start every ASUN match for their respective teams. She went the full 90 minutes in seven conference contests, solidifying her role as a cornerstone of the Queens defense against some of the league's top competition.
While primarily tasked with anchoring the Royals' backline, Neil also made contributions on the offensive end, recording her first collegiate assist against Lipscomb. She finished her freshman campaign with two shots, including one on target, and played an instrumental role in helping Queens secure its lone clean sheet of the season in a 1-0 road victory over Stetson.
Neil's selection to the ASUN All-Freshman Team caps off an impressive debut season for the defender, whose consistency, defensive presence, and ability to compete at a high level have established her as a promising piece of the Royals' future.
