MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University women's soccer alum and current Paris Saint-Germain FC (France) forward, Ashley Lawrence was voted the 2019 Canadian Player of the Year, as announced by Canada Soccer on Thursday.
"I am so thrilled for Ashley, this is an award that is well deserved," head coach
Nikki Izzo-Brown said. "She has always worked hard to be one of the best in the game and that has continued since she has become a professional. Ashley was one of the best collegiate players that took us to the 2016 National Championship game and has not stopped making an impact at the next level. I am so proud of her and all that she continues to accomplish."
Lawrence led Canada with four assists at the international "A" level and was named Canada Soccer Player of the Month in June and November. She was one of four members of the national team to play in all 15 matches, primarily at right back. She led Canada in minutes played for the second year in a row. She was also named Canada's player of the match in the Round of 16 at the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019.
At Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG), she helped the team to a second-place finish in the 2018-19 Championnat de France. She also guided PSG to a quarterfinal's appearance at the 2019 Coupa de France and the 2018-19 UEFA Women's Champions League.
This season, Lawrence has helped PSG back to second place in the current league standings and a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2019-20 UEFA Women's Champions League, which will be played in March and April of 2020.
Lawrence has made 83 international appearances for Team Canada since making her debut on January 12, 2013. She earned a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio prior to her senior season at WVU and has appeared in two FIFA Women's World Cups (2015 and 2019).
Lawrence was a three-time All-American and a two-time semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy during her four-year Mountaineer career from 2013-16. The Toronto native started 87 matches in the old gold and blue and ranks No. 3 in assists in program history, with 29. She helped WVU win seven Big 12 Conference titles and led WVU to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish in the 2016 NCAA College Cup Final.