Women's Soccer: Blank Named Team MVP
February 14, 2009 08:34 AM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
February 14, 2009
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| Carolyn Blank |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University women's soccer team honored its seniors and handed out the 2008 season awards Saturday at its annual postseason banquet. The afternoon lunch celebrated the team's season and the careers of its eight-member senior class.
Junior Carolyn Blank was named the team’s most valuable player for the second-straight year. She earned All-America honors at midfield from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), Soccer Buzz and TopDrawerSoccer. A Toms River, N.J., native, Blank was named First Team All-BIG EAST and became the school’s second BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year.
Senior Deana Everrett earned the team’s most offensive player award after leading the 2008 Mountaineers in assists (8), points (22), shots (87) and shots on-goal (38). An Oakville, Ontario, native, Everrett took home All-BIG EAST Second Team accolades and was named an NSCAA Scholar All-East Region performer.
Senior Robin Rushton was named the team’s most defensive player in guiding the Mountaineer back line to a school record 13 shutouts as an outside back. She helped WVU’s defense allow only four goals in 11 conference games this year – the fewest by any BIG EAST team in either division. The Scarborough, Ontario, native also earned NSCAA Scholar All-EAST Region honors.
Redshirt freshman Erica Henderson was voted the team’s most improved player after providing valuable minutes at both defender and forward this season. The Rochester, N.Y., native earned a spot on the 2008 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team. Henderson started 12 matches and was named to Soccer Buzz’s Freshman All-Mid-Atlantic Region team.
Finally, senior Stephanie Burgess was selected for the Mountaineer S.O.C.C.E.R. award. The award is given by the coaches to the individual who displays good sportsmanship, optimism, character, concern, effort and respect. The Morgantown, W.Va., native appeared in 21 of 23 matches this season and scored her first career goal against Syracuse.
All other team awards were voted on by the players. The graduating seniors are forwards Burgess and Everrett, midfielders Amanda Cicchini, Lisa DuCote and Michelle Molinari, and defenders Greer Barnes, Kelsey Fowler and Rushton.
The Mountaineers completed the 2008 season with a 14-3-6 record, tying the school record for fewest losses in a season. West Virginia finished the season with a final ranking of 14th by the NSCAA and won its third-straight BIG EAST American Division title. Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown guided her team to a ninth consecutive NCAA Championship appearance, the country’s ninth-best active streak.
