NOTEBOOK: 3 Bulls named to provisional national rosters

Evelyne Viens was named to Canada’s provisional roster for Olympic qualifying. ORACLE PHOTO/BRIAN HATTAB

For those who have been advocating on behalf of now-former USF women’s soccer striker Evelyne Viens to get a chance to play on the international stage, that wish might soon be granted.

Viens, along with former teammates Chyanne Dennis and Ricquelle Farquharson, were named to their countries’ provisional rosters ahead of the 2020 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship, USF announced Monday. Viens was named to Canada’s provisional squad while Dennis and Farquarson will potentially represent Jamaica.

Inclusion on the 50-player provisional roster does not guarantee a spot on the final, 20-player roster that CONCACAF will release a week before the championship begins Jan. 28.

Viens finished her USF career as the all-time leading goal scorer both at USF and in the AAC at 73 in 77 games.

“It’s great that Canada has opened the door for Evelyne Viens,” USF coach Denise Schilte-Brown said in a statement. “She’s worked very hard. I’m sure she’s going to represent Canada well if given the opportunity.”

Pair of Bulls earn AAC honors

Following USF’s 68-52 victory against Tulsa on Sunday, a pair of USF women’s basketball players took home AAC weekly honors, the league announced Monday.

Kristyna Brabencova was named Freshman of the Week after scoring a career-high 17 points and recording five rebounds in the Bulls’ victory against the Golden Hurricane. The wing from the Czech Republic shot 6-of-9 from the field and tied a career-high with three steals.

Brabencova was the second straight Bull to earn Freshman of the Week honors following Elena Tsineke on Jan. 6.

Sophomore guard Sydni Harvey was named to the AAC Honor Roll after leading all scorers with a season-high 20 points. The Nashville native made a career high six 3-pointers and was 6-of-11 (54.5 percent) from the field.

Wilcox to participate in Shrine Bowl

USF will be represented, albeit it by one player, in this Saturday’s East-West Shrine Bowl.

Tight end Mitchell Wilcox, who is expected to be the Bulls’ lone pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, will participate in the game which kicks off at 3 p.m. at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

Wilcox finished his USF career as the all-time leader in touchdown receptions by a tight end (11) and receiving yards as a tight end (1,326).