SAN JOSE, Calif. – Senior defender Kadeisha Buchanan of the No. 1-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team has been tabbed the National Player of the Year by espnW.

 

Less than 48 hours away from leading the top-seeded Mountaineers (22-1-2, 8-0) into their NCAA College Cup debut, today’s recognition is the fourth of the week for the Brampton, Ontario, native. Just yesterday, she was named a semifinalist for the Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Hermann Trophy Award and was placed on the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Central Region First Team, as well as the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Week.

 

A three-time NSCAA All-American and the four-time reigning Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Buchanan anchors a Mountaineer defense which has posted a program-best 17 shutouts this season and allowed just nine goals, also a program record. A two-time team captain, she also shows nine points (3 G, 3 A).

 

Since Buchanan joined the team in 2013, the backline has allowed just 59 goals and posted 54 shutouts. She has started 88 of 89 career matches and shows 25 career points (8 G, 9 A).

 

A 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist and a starter for the Canadian National Team, Buchanan also has earned a slew of international awards, including the Best Young Player honor at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

 

Buchanan and the Mountaineers will face No. 2-seed North Carolina in the first of two NCAA College Cup semifinal matches on Friday, Dec. 2, at 5 p.m. ET, at Avaya Stadium. The match will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU.