April 20, 2008
The four-time defending Big 12 champion Texas A&M soccer team hosted its 15th Annual Awards Banquet on Sunday evening in the Vintage House, part of the Messina Hof winery and vineyards.
Each year the banquet highlights the academic and athletic accomplishments of several players and staff members, including honors received from various soccer media organizations and associations outside Texas A&M University.
"Our annual awards banquet has always been a special night to celebrate the past year's team accomplishments, and it's especially nice to announce these special awards that were determined by the players' peers and coaches,? A&M head coach G Guerrieri said.
A&M finished its 2007 season with an overall record of 18-4-2, going 9-1 in conference play and capturing its 10th Big 12 title in 12 seasons. The Aggies earned their 13th NCAA Tournament berth in the program?â„¢s 15-year history and finished in the Top 25 for the ninth-consecutive season.
Sunday?â„¢s banquet served not only to recognize the achievements of the Aggies?â„¢ 2007 campaign but also to honor a graduating senior class (Sara Albrecht, Amy Berend, Paige Carmichael, Melissa Garey, Elisabeth Jones, Allison Martino, Ashlee Pistorius and Kelly Wilmoth) who over the course of the past four seasons, have put in countless hours, pouring their heart and soul into Aggie soccer. Their hard work and determination have seen this program establish itself as a dominating force in the Big 12 as well as on the national level. These seniors have etched their mark as the most decorated class in program history after accomplishing something no other program has done before them, winning a championship in four consecutive years.
The awards presented at the banquet ranged from position MVP?â„¢s, who contributed to the team?â„¢s success on the field, to those accolades which highlighted the athlete who most exemplified the spirit of Aggieland.
Pistorius, one of A&M?â„¢s most accomplished and recognizable attacking weapons, was honored as the Offensive MVP. Undeniably the best goal scorer to ever come through the Aggie soccer program, Pistorius netted 81 goals in her career, placing her atop the Aggie career record books for goals scored. Her 25 goals in 2007 led the nation and earned her the team?â„¢s Leading Scorer award. The All-American was also named the Assists Leader with nine on the year.
When the Bloomington, Ill.-native set foot on campus there wasn?â„¢t a doubt in anyone?â„¢s mind she was one of the best. She was consistently the team?â„¢s leading scorer while continually dominating the conference standings, but Pistorius was eager for more. After sitting down with the coaches and staff, Pistorius immediately went to work to be recognized as the nation?â„¢s best. She would not be disappointed as she earned a 2008 Honda Sports award, deeming her the nation?â„¢s top collegiate female soccer player. For her efforts the coaching staff selected her as the Most Improved player for the 2007 season.
Berend, a dominating force in the Aggies?â„¢ central midfield, earned the team?â„¢s Midfield MVP for the third time in her career. Since her arrival at A&M, Berend started 96 of 98 matches, recording 11 goals, including three gamewinners, while chipping in an impressive 16 assists.
Micah Stephens was named the team?â„¢s Defensive MVP. One of the more soft-spoken members of the Aggie soccer team, Stephen?â„¢s contribution to the Aggie defense makes a loud statement. The junior was a mainstay on the Aggie backline helping A&M to 10 shutouts and contributed an assist against Rice on goal by sophomore defender Nicole Ketchum.
Known for her mentally tough attitude, it should as no surprise that Carmichael earned the team?â„¢s Iron Aggie award, which is given to the player who achieves the most in the weight room. Carmichael was also honored with the team?â„¢s ?Perseverance? award, which is given to the player with the ?never say die? attitude, overcoming all obstacles. The defensive midfielder has served as a key part in many of A&M?â„¢s 38 shutouts during her four years in Aggieland. Carmichael tallied 82 starts in her career, scoring five goals while dishing out 12 assists.
Cydne Currie, who is often described as the ?exclamation point? of the Aggies?â„¢ attack because of her speed and unique talent for putting the ball in the goal, earned the team?â„¢s 12th Man award, which is given to the non-starter who made the largest contribution on the field. The sophomore came off the bench to appear in 21 of the Aggies?â„¢ 24 matches in 2007. Currie scored three goals and chipped in two assists. The speedster wreaked havoc on opponents through the Aggies?â„¢ spring season leading the team in goals scored with six.
Rachel Shipley is an all-around talent with the ability to play wide and/or central midfield or on A&M?â„¢s frontline if needed. The freshman was a highly touted prep player who made an immediate impact the moment she stepped foot on campus earning her the team?â„¢s Newcomer of the Year award. Shipley made an appearance in all 24 of the Aggies?â„¢ games making 12 starts. She scored two goals and chipped in a team third-best six assists.
If you spend anytime around Elisabeth Jones, you?â„¢ll see her passion for Aggieland is undeniable. From the moment she arrived on campus in 2005 after transferring for the University of Kentucky, she fell in love with the family and traditions that are Texas A&M, making Jones the perfect choice for the team?â„¢s Spirit of Aggieland award, which is given to the player who exemplifies the spirit of Aggieland by displaying a strong cohesive spirit for the team. Jones made an appearance in all 48 games since coming to A&M. She ended her career posting nine goals, including her first career hat-trick against Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and eight assists over her two seasons in an Aggie uniform.
Off the field, the history major boasted a near flawless 3.98 GPA and for her efforts in classroom, received CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine All-America honors.
The Aggies wrapped up their non-traditional spring season on Mar. 29 against Oklahoma State. A&M went undefeated over the course of the spring season with a 5-0-3 record. A&M competed in full-sided matches against the Mexico U20 Women?â„¢s National Team, Louisiana State University, Purdue University and OSU. The Aggies were also undefeated in their annual 7-v-7 tournament with games against Rice, the University of North Texas, Baylor and Aggie Alumni.
The Aggie soccer team will open the 2008 season with its annual Maroon & White game on August 8 at 7:30 p.m.