Women's Soccer: Player of the Year Finalist
December 03, 2007 01:50 PM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
December 3, 2007
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| Ashley Banks |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University women’s soccer player Ashley Banks has been named a finalist for the 2007 Soccer Buzz National Player of the Year announced today.
First presented in 1996, this year’s honoree will become the 12th National Player of the Year. Banks, a former Soccer Buzz Freshman All-American, is one of 14 players selected as finalists for the award to be announced in mid-December after voting among Division I coaches and Soccer Buzz staff.
Banks, also a Herman Trophy semifinalist, turned in 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. 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 (1998-2001).
Earlier this season Banks was named first team all-BIG EAST, the BIG EAST co-Offensive Player of the Year and an ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Banks joins two-time All-American Chrissie Abbott (2000-03) as the only Mountaineers to be named Soccer Buzz National Player of the Year finalists. Yael Averbuch of North Carolina garnered National Player of the Year honors in 2006.
