Women's Soccer: Banks Named Academic All-America
November 20, 2007 11:56 AM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
November 20, 2007
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| Ashley Banks |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University women’s soccer player Ashley Banks has been named an ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-American announced College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) officials today.
“What a tremendous honor for Ashley who truly defines what it means to be a student-athlete,” said Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “Her work ethic in the classroom is just as strong as her efforts on the field. This is a fine award as she closes out a fantastic career as a Mountaineer.”
Banks, a forensic and investigative science major, is finishing up one of the finest seasons in Mountaineer soccer history. The forward’s 15 goals and 38 points this season are the most-ever by a senior women’s soccer player. She has scored at least one point in 14 of 23 games this season and leads the BIG EAST in goals.
A senior from Annandale, Va., Banks ranks in the top five all-time at WVU in three major offensive categories – 34 goals (3rd), 26 assists (3rd) and 94 points (3rd). She is one of two players in WVU history to record 30 goals and 25 assists in her career, joining All-American Katie Barnes.
Banks is one of only 11 student-athletes from across the country to earn first team honors in the University Division. Joining her on the Academic All-America first team are two other BIG EAST players in Joanna Haig of Louisville and Ashley Jones of Notre Dame.
Banks becomes the first women’s soccer CoSIDA Academic All-America selection since Christen Seaman was named to the first team in 2002. Melissa Haire is the only other Mountaineer women’s soccer player to win the academic award, taking home third team honors in 2001 and second team honors in 2002.
