HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana senior defender Chelsea Villaescusa earned 2014 National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Continental Tire Division I All-Central Region honors in an announcement from the NSCAA on Wednesday.
 
Villaescusa, a native of Cypress, California, was a second team selection. She is the seventh Lady Lion to earn All-Central Region honors and her placement on the team marked the fifth straight year that SLU was represented on the all-region squad.
 
Villaescusa joins previous all-region selections Hope Sabadash (2013), Kelsey Salcido (2013), Shanyce Shaw (2013), Maiya Cooper (2010-12), Lacey Bockhaus (2010, 2012) and Natalie Santana (2010). Villaescusa was also joined on the 2014 squad by Southland Conference rivals Zuri Prince, Chelsea Raymond and Megan Dunnigan of Stephen F. Austin, as well as Nicholls' Jess Coates.
 
Villaescusa was named first team All-Southland Conference last month for the second year in a row. She was the top player on a defense that recorded eight shutouts in 2014. Dangerous with her service ability on set pieces, she was third on the team with five assists.
 
"Chelsea's attributes continue to shine as she was voted as one of the top defenders in the Central Region," Southeastern head coach Blake Hornbuckle said. "Her ability to get into the attack, serve with a purpose and shut down space for attackers are a few of her many qualities.  She exudes confidence and raises the level of teammates around her.  Her leadership as an outgoing team captain leaves continuity and a strong foundation for future Lions."
 
2014 NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division I Women's All-Central Region Team
 
First Team
Pos. – Player – Class – School – Hometown
GK – Abby Smith – Jr. – Texas – Plano, Texas
D – Kadeisha Buchanan – So. – West Virginia – Brampton, Ontario, Canada
D – Jaelene Hinkle – Sr. – Texas Tech – Denver, Colo.
D – Caroline Van Slambrouck – Sr. – Kansas – Kingwood, Texas
MF – Ashley Lawrence – So. – West Virginia – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
MF – Zuri Prince – Sr. – Stephen F. Austin – Beaumont, Texas
MF – Liana Salazar – Jr. – Kansas – Bogota, Colombia
MF – Quinny Truong – Sr. – Rice – Fort Worth, Texas
F – Janine Beckie – Jr. – Texas Tech – Highlands Ranch, Colo.
F – Lauren Hughes – Jr. – Rice – Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
F – Martha Thomas – Fr. – UNC-Charlotte – Weston, Fla.
 
Second Team
Pos. – Player – Class – School – Hometown
GK – Jackie Kerestine – Jr. – North Texas – Euless, Texas
D – Chelsea Villaescusa – Sr. – Southeastern Louisiana – Cypress, Calif.
D – Hannah Asuchak – Sr. – UTEP – Calgary, Alberta, Canada
D – Jenny Fichera – So. – Rice – Ann Arbor, Mich.
D – Olivia Mbala – Sr. – Florida Atlantic – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
MF – Kelly Culicerto – Jr. – Marshall – Charlotte, N.C.
MF – Karla Pineda – Jr. – North Texas – Houston, Texas
MF – Paige Strahan – Sr. – Texas Tech – Odessa, Texas
F – Michaela Abam – Fr. – West Virginia – Houston, Texas
F – Holly Hargreaves – Jr. – Rice – New Hope, Pa.
F – Chelsea Raymond – Sr. – Stephen F. Austin – Irving, Texas
 
Third Team
Pos. – Player – Class – School – Hometown
GK – Lauren Watson – So. – Texas Tech – The Woodlands, Texas
D – Bobbi Clemmer – Jr. – TCU – Decatur, Texas
D – Taylor Dulaney – Sr. – UNC-Charlotte – Kernersville, N.C.
D – Megan Dunnigan – Sr. – Stephen F. Austin – Round Rock, Texas
MF – Jess Coates – Jr. – Nicholls – Sydney, Australia
MF – Aleah Davis – So. – UTEP – Hewitt, Texas
MF – Sharis Lachappelle – Sr. – Texas – San Antonio, Texas
MF – Allie Stephenson – Jr. – Oklahoma State – Lee's Summit, Mo.
F – Courtney Dike – So. – Oklahoma State – Edmond, Okla.
F – Kathryn Sloan – So. – Louisiana Tech – Kansas City, Mo.
F – Ashley Williams – Jr. – Kansas – Albuquerque, N.M.