Workington footballer Rio Hardy has set a new record in US college football and was named Sun Belt Conference player of the year,.

Rio recorded a brace and set a new school record for game-winning goals to lead the University of South Alabama Jaguars to a 2-0 victory over Texas State at the Bobcat Soccer Complex.

And, playing alongside her twin sister Steffi, helped the Jaguars go on to win 1-0 over Little Rock to lift the Sun Belt Conference title at The Cage last Friday.

The Jaguars, who were already the only Sun Belt program to win three straight championships, have now won four in a row dating back to 2014.

Rio assisted on the game-winning goal against Little Rock, feeding Dixon with a through ball down the center of the park in the last five minutes.

And she is now in 12th place by herself at South Alabama in career assists with 15 - having recorded a point in her last four outings, and in seven of her last eight.

Rio and Steffi were also named in the all-Sun Belt Conference Women's Soccer team on Tuesday, with Rio named player of the year.

Seven University of South Alabama student-athletes were named in the team, a league high.

Going back to the game against Texas State, Rio scored her first from about eight yards out after a short cross from freshman Selma Björgvinsdóttir.

That goal was Hardy's 12th game-winning goal in her career, breaking a tie with Cindy Rainville.

A minute and a half before, Hardy broke free but her shot was saved by a diving Heather Martin

At half time, the Jaguars had put seven of their eight shots on goal, with Hardy putting four of her five attempts on net.

Rio then doubled USA's advantage in the 71st minute on another breakaway, slotting it home into the right corner.

Head coach Richard Moodie said: "I think the way we play favours her now. Maybe the way we played last year didn't suit her but suited other players.

"The system, the way we play, with the players that are around her, allow her to be great.

"She's a phenomenal player, but the players around her, the deliveries, the work benefit her. I feel like we've maximised Rio Hardy this year.

"She broke the school record and we're proud of her, but she has plenty more goals to score for this team this year."

Rio, who receives first-team recognition for the third time, leads the conference in both points (1.59) and goals (0.71) per game, and game-winning goals (5).

She recorded multiple goals on four occasions – three times against Sun Belt opposition – and has a point in 10 of her last 13 outings.

Earlier this season, she became the school's all-time leader in game-winning goals and currently ranks second in both career goals (39) and points (93).

Steffi Hardy played in the Jaguar back four that held 10 of their last 13 opponents to single-digit shots.

The senior played a major part in five shutouts and in keeping eight teams to fewer than four shots on goal.

Hardy, who was the 2015 Sun Belt Defender of the Year and a first-team all-Sun Belt honoree in 2014 and 2015, recorded her 13th career goal on September 24 against Georgia State.