July 14, 2005
Seniors Carrie Berend and Kati Jo Spisak, along with junior Annie Burnett were named tri-captains for the 2005 Texas A&M women's soccer team, Aggie head coach G Guerrieri announced today.
"I am very pleased to announce senior goalkeeper Kati Jo Spisak, senior midfielder Carrie Berend and junior defender Annie Burnett as our 2005 team captains," Guerrieri said. "We all have very high expectations for the coming season, and a big part of our success in the past has been attributed to the work and leadership of our great captains. I think these three terrific players will do an outstanding job."
Spisak, from Manchester, Missouri, has earned All-America honors as well as All-Big 12 accolades during her storied career. She was named the Big 12 Conference Tournament Defensive MVP last fall as she helped the Aggies win the Big 12 Tournament crown. She was named to the 2005 Big 12 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll for her academic accomplishments and the 2005 season will mark her second year as a team captain.
Berend, from Highland Village, Texas, was a second-team All-Big 12 selection last fall and has started three years for the Aggies. Berend is noted for her dedication and hard work as well as a very competitive nature and is highly respected by her teammates.
Burnett, from San Antonio, Texas, is a well-rounded Aggie. She earned the designation "All-Around Aggie" by the 12th Man Magazine for her outstanding work representing the university and athletics department in the community outreach programs as well as her play on the soccer field. She was also named to the 2005 Big 12 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll and has twice earned Texas A&M/Verizon Athletic Scholar honors. She is an active member of the Dance Marathon, a fund-raising group for the Children's Miracle Network, and is also a member of the Conference of Student Government Association.
Texas A&M posted an 18-6 overall record in 2004 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championships, the 10th consecutive season for Aggie soccer to reach NCAA post-season play. A&M will look to defend the Big 12 regular-season and tournament championships in 2005. A&M has won regular-season championships in 1997, 2002 and 2004, while bringing home the Big 12 Tournament title in 1997, 2001 and 2004.
Texas A&M will open the 2005 campaign with an exhibition against the University of Southern Mississippi at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Aggie Soccer Complex. The final action of the 2005 NCAA women's soccer season will come to a close in College Station as Texas A&M plays host to the 2005 NCAA Women's College Cup to be played Dec. 2-4.