Stony Brook Sweeps Final Women’s Soccer Awards of 2008

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Stony Brook, which is in the midst of a four-game winnings streak in women’s soccer, swept the final weekly awards of 2008 after posting two wins and earning the No. 2 seed for the upcoming America East Championship. Senior Brooke Barbuto (Syracuse, N.Y./Corcoran) was tabbed Player of the Week award for the second time this season, while freshman Colleen McKenna (Manorville, N.Y./Eastport South Manor) earned Rookie of the Week honors award for the third time.

Barbuto racked up nine points in two Stony Brook wins last week. Barbuto scored the tying goal against Binghamton on Wednesday and then assisted on the game winner. A senior midfielder, Barbuto tallied assists on the first two goals against Maine and converted a penalty kick for her fifth goal of the season on Sunday. The wins gave Stony Brook 10 wins for the first time since 1994 and six America East trophy wins for the first time since joining the league in 2001.

McKenna (Manorville, N.Y./Eastport South Manor) earned her second straight Rookie of the Week award as she tallied 11 points in just two games last week. A freshman forward, McKenna scored scored the Seawolves’ first goal, just 2:32 into the game, in a 3-2 win over Albany on Thursday. A freshman forward, McKenna scored the game winner against Binghamton on Thursday with just 5:51 remaining. She added two more scores and an assist in the Seawolves’ 5-0 win over Maine on Sunday.

In the Women’s Soccer Championship awards, No. 3 seeded New Hampshire (6-10-1, 5-3-0) will host No. 6 seed Binghamton (7-8-1, 3-5-0) on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in one quarterfinal matchup. Fourth-seeded Hartford (8-5-4, 4-3-1) hosts No. 5 seed Maine (6-5-6, 3-3-2) at 6 p.m. in the other quarterfinal contest. Semifinal action with take place on Sunday, November 2 with the winner of New Hampshire and Binghamton traveling to No. 2 seed Stony Brook (10-7-0, 6-2-0) for a 6 p.m. contest. The winner of Hartford and Maine will go to No. 1 seed Boston University (13-5-1, 8-0-0 ) for a 1 p.m. start. The championship award game will be played on Saturday, Nov. 8 or Sunday, Nov. 9 at the highest remaining seed.

Originated from America East Communications

Gartner named finalist for national award - CLASS award recognizes excellence in class and on field

Eastern senior defender Adam Gartner was named one of 30 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS award.

He was the only finalist named from the Missouri Valley Conference for the award that acknowledges dedication and hard work in the classroom, character, community and competition.

The CLASS award recognizes senior athletes in eight NCAA Division I sports.

The CLASS award differs from other athletic honors given because athletics are just one factor taken into consideration.

Eastern head coach Adam Howarth said Gartner is a quiet leader on and off the field. The Iowa City, Iowa, native has a 3.64 GPA and has received several academic awards. He is a two-time ESPN Academic All-District award winner and was named a First Team MVC Scholar Athlete and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Second Team Scholar All-American in 2007.

“I was very excited,” Howarth said of Gartner’s nomination. “He puts in a lot of hard work in the classroom, on the field and in the community.”

Gartner is in his fourth year playing soccer at Eastern and was named a preseason All-MVC player before the start of this season. Gartner has two assists and two goals this season after ending the 2007 season with nine assists and eight goals. He has 17 assists for his Eastern career (tied for 10th all-time).

Gartner said he was surprised to be nominated, but he said it was an honor to be recognized for his accomplishments both on and off the field. He said his parents always pushed him to get his school work done first.

“They supported me a lot, Gartner said. “They understand how it’s been and that it is difficult. They came to every game so far this season to support me.”

Balancing academics and other aspects of life can be tough for student-athletes, but that is what Gartner has done in his four years at Eastern.

“I try to stay on top of things,” Gartner said. “In high school I did well managing my time – like getting my priorities straight and getting work done. Here, (Howarth) helps us out, gives us time to study and puts academics first.”

Gartner said he would like to continue playing soccer after graduation, but he said he is keeping his options open if that doesn’t pan out. Those options could involve using his finance degree.

“I don’t want to close out soccer, but I know I can’t play my whole life so I want to consider graduate school and a career in financial planning,” Gartner said.

Howarth said Gartner not only works hard in class and on the soccer field but also helps out in the community.

“I think that with Adam school is first then it’s soccer in a close second,” Howarth said. “He does good work with kids. He volunteers with the team every Monday.”

But despite his success in academics and volunteer time he puts in, Gartner still excels on the soccer field, and that includes a position switch during the middle of his college career.

“The other year he got a new position – midfield to defender – and that’s not always easy,” said senior forward Brad Peters. “He’s also been a good person, and I think he finally came into his own.”

Originally written by Karolina Strack/Staff Reporter

Trojans proud of state trophy

Being runner-up in a state trophy title game is possibly the toughest pill a team can swallow, but Timothy Christian’s boys soccer players know how they’ll come to view their Class 1A second-place trophy.

“It’s an initial blow that you lost, but when you look back at the season there’s nothing to be ashamed of,” said Trojans senior Jake Schemper. “I’m very appreciative of what everybody on this team has done.”

The Trojans (18-6-1) lost 2-0 to a team from Winnebago (25-2) that had no shortage of attacking weapons at North Central College in Naperville. The Indians posted 162 goals this season in winning their first soccer state trophy title.

For 40 minutes Trojans goalkeeper Peter Tameling and his back line kept the Indians from scoring, but Winnebago struck twice in a three-minute span to start the second half and the Trojans were unable to find the back of the net from there.

“I was proud of the way we played. It just wasn’t enough,” said Trojans coach Rudi Gesch. “But we’ll take second place trophy. It’s been an awesome experience and a great journey.”

Timothy Christian bids farewell to seniors Schemper, Tameling, Jeb Nash, Josh Hjelmgren, Jeremy Hoving, Justin Groenewold, Taylor Slager, Kent Dixon and Jonathan Voss – a core group for which Gesch predicted great things for when they were eighth-graders.
“Phenomenal individual talent, phenomenal team chemistry – just very strong senior leadership, and we’re really going to miss those guys,” Gesch said. “It was a great effort on their parts.”

Nash led the squad offensively with 15 goals and 17 assists, Schemper posted 13 goals and 17 assists, and the Trojans got 10 apiece this year from Groenewold and Slager.

“We’re just all best friends on this team,” Schemper said. “The friendships and relationships I’ve been able to create here have been priceless.”

Originally written by By Gary Larsen | Daily Herald Correspondent

AVID Soccer Opens 2008 Award Nominations

On 24 September 2008, AVID Soccer will open the nomination stage of their annual review cycle. Nominations will remain open until 10 October. All readers are welcome to submit nominations to reviews@avidsoccer.com.This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Nominations will be announced the week of 13 October.

Awards are based on the shoot-out results, reviews and reader comments on the AVID Soccer blog. Award categories include:
• Best Boot – Based on fit, comfort, durability, aesthetics/desirability, price and availability
• Best Goalkeeper Glove – Based on comfort, durability, adhesion, aesthetics, price and availability
• Best Ball – Based on shape, feel/control, durability, aesthetics/desirability, price and availability
• Best Kit – Based on comfort, fit, available styles/colors, durability/wear characteristic, care requirements and price
• Coolest Lifestyle Product – Based on style, comfort, price, durability and reader feedback
• Most Innovative Product – Based on new products in 2008 that bring a different approach to Soccer; all categories and products are possible, but they must be reviewed by AVID Soccer

The voting will be weighted 60/40 for the AVID Soccer team and readers respectively. The lifecycle category will reverse the weighting.

Products, not previously reviewed, must be submitted no later than 22 October 2008. This will give AVID Soccer time to review the product and readers a chance to respond. Information on product submissions can be found at AVID Soccer (http://www.avidsoccer.com/submit.aspx).

About AVID Soccer:
AVID Soccer is a grass roots organization that provides information and training to individual players, groups and teams. AVID Soccer consists of coaches and trainers dedicated to improving the image of soccer; the level of training; and the level of play. (www.avidsoccer.com)

The AVID Soccer Equipment Review is one of the largest independent Soccer Equipment sites. It provides objective testing services, reviews and information on soccer equipment and related products. They currently have over 20 testers ranging from U-9 players through semi-pro. The AVID Soccer Equipment review web log was founded in March 2006. (blog.avidsoccer.com)

Originally written by Editor Choice, PR Canada

Nikki Marshall battles for possession of the ball with a Utah defender Sept. 6, 2007. Marshall was awarded Offensive Player of the week by the Big-12 conference. (CU Independent File Photo/Eli Lieberman)

The Big-12 conference announced its players of the week for women’s soccer Tuesday and Colorado swept all the honors.

Junior forward Nikki Marshall was awarded Offensive Player of the Week, senior goalkeeper Kirstin Radlinski was awarded Defensive Player of the Week and freshman midfielder Kelly Butler was awarded Newcomer of the Week.

This marks the first time in the program’s history that the Soccer team swept the weekly awards and the first school to accomplish the feat since Kansas did it on Oct. 17, 2006.

Marshall had two goals against Ole Miss on Friday – with one in overtime to help the Buffs get their first win of the weekend and Marshall’s seventh Offensive Player of the Week for her career.

With the Buffs down by two going into halftime against Ole Miss veteran goalkeeper Kirstin Radlinski entered the game and made three huge saves to give Colorado the chance to come back for the win. Radlinski had another great game on Sunday, helping the Buffs win their fifth straight.

This was Radlinski’s second career Defensive Player of the Week award.

Kelly Butler became the second Buff to earn Newcomer of the Week this season, thanks to her key goal versus Ole Miss and her game-winning goal against Memphis on Sunday. Fellow freshman Kate Russell earned the team’s first Newcomer of the Week award this season two weeks ago.

The Buffs will host the Colorado Classic this weekend at Prentup Field with Denver, Gonzaga and Fresno State coming to Boulder.

Originally written by Ron Knabenbauer

Mandela honored today at the Nelson Mandela Foundation event.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter today (Tuesday, 16 September) paid tribute to” his friend Madiba” at a private audience at the Nelson Mandela Foundation with a very special gift. To commemorate the historic moment on 15 May 2004 when the former President of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nelson Mandela, emotionally raised the iconic Trophy right after the 2010 FIFA World Cup was awarded to South Africa, Blatter handed over a specifically manufactured replica of the FIFA World Cup. “You are the true architect of this FIFA World Cup; your presence and commitment made it happen. Now the first African FIFA World Cup is a reality and the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 – the dress re-hearsal – will already take place in less than ten months’ time,” explained Blatter on handing over the trophy to Mandela “I remember that moment back in Zurich. It’s an honour to welcome you here today. It was my desire to meet you and I am happy that we managed it. Thank you for this very special gift,” said Mr. Mandela, who assigned the Trophy a special place in his office. The FIFA President was accompanied by FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke and FIFA Ambassador Tokyo Sexwale.

The FIFA President spoke with Mr. Mandela on his itinerary since arriving South Africa on Sunday and told him how confident he was that the 2010 FIFA World Cup would be a magnificent event. In particular ,the FIFA President talked about his visit that same morning to the iconic Soccer City stadium when he was welcomed by enthusiastic construction workers regaling him with a stirring rendition of “Shosholoza” – a popular local tune which has become South African workers’ theme song whenever the FIFA President visits FIFA World Cup stadium sites in the country. “This is the centre of all the activities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and I am so impressed by the magnitude of the construction of this stadium which already more than 20,000 seats in place. It’s great, it’s big, it’s huge. It is like a temple where people will assemble in 2010,” said Blatter.

Mr. Mandela was keen also on President Blatter’s assessment of the current performance of the South African football team Bafana Bafana, while the pair also fondly reminisced about the glorious South African team that won the 1996 African Cup of Nations on home soil. Now the team must start concentrating on preparations for next year’s FIFA Confederations Cup, when they have to compete against top teams such as reigning world champions Italy, Brazil, USA and European champions Spain. South Africa has the talent but it is time now to show it,” explained Blatter. Mr. Mandela then told the guests about his football experiences back as a schoolboy and stressed that football is a people’s sport. To conclude the short visit the FIFA President added: “This is the highlight of my stay here in South Africa to meet my dear friend Madiba. I feel at home in this beautiful and proud country. Good bless you and I hope to see you at the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on 11 June 2010 at Soccer City stadium.”

Originally written by Ramon Aranda

Trophy news from Hartford, CT

M.S.C. Hermann Trophy winner turns down MLS Superdraft opportunity

O’Brian White has a Facebook – and uses it too. He can tell you how to cook a traditional Jamaican meal and although White admits he’s not faster than Usain Bolt, he is one of Bolt’s biggest fans.

White walks to classes, talks in a soft voice with a Jamaican accent and puts out a firm handshake. To many, he’s the average 23-year old living the average college life.

But in the world of collegiate soccer, he’s known as something a little more than average. He’s the best NCAA Division I soccer player in the country and the title isn’t self-acclaimed.

In 2007, White, a junior at the time, pieced together one of the most successful seasons a UConn men’s soccer player has ever had. He ended the year as the leader of all NCAA Division I players in points with 53 and goals with 23.

His biggest accomplishments started to come at the end of last year. In December 2007, White was named Soccer America’s Player of the Year. In January 2008, White was awarded the Missouri Athletic Club Herman Trophy, the most prestigious individual award in collegiate soccer. To finish it off, he was also named National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Player of the Year, completing the so-called “trifecta” of Player of the Year awards.

“I look it at and I know it’s a kind of respect but I don’t get complacent with it,” White said. “I take it as expectation and I have to match that. There’s no pressure on that, it’s just I have to win the game. It doesn’t matter if I score or if my teammates score, I just want to win.”

White seemed to have his future in line. He was in great shape to leave UConn and enter the MLS SuperDraft with two of his teammates, get drafted with a high pick and make a lot of money.

But instead he decided to come to Storrs, to don the white and blue for his senior season.

“He had a chance to leave and make a half-million dollars and he came back to college,” said soccer head coach Ray Reid. “How many kids in college make that kind of decision?”

White came back to UConn for several reasons, his number one being to graduate college with a degree. Combine that with the fact that White would also get another shot at a national championship with a UConn team that was heavily favored to win it all last year, and it’s clear why White is back for another year.

“I look it as I want to graduate,” White said. “I don’t want to leave and then come back. We have a very good team this season, so I knew I could come back and get a chance at it again. We really came up short last year, and I had another year so I was like, ‘Why not? Why not give it a shot?’”

Ever since he was young, White has been in love with soccer. As a boy, his uncle often took him to the local field in Jamaica and played soccer with him.

And even to this day, White thanks his family for helping him become the player he is.

His family noticed he was good at soccer and continually pushed him to work at it. It’s this deep background of the game that makes White feel the way he feels about soccer.

“[Soccer] means a lot to me,” White said. “Your mind is off everything and just on soccer. It allows you to be yourself.”

While White’s main focus right now is to get his fellow Huskies to the national championship, he’s back to dealing with the responsibilities of being a full-time student-athlete.

One of those responsibilities is interacting with thousands of other UConn students.

“Sometimes just being around campus and bumping into people, it feels good,” White said. “It’s flattering. I always try to stop and have a conversation with them and tell them I appreciate their support and everything and I try to encourage them to come to the games.”

In terms of classes, White is studying to finish his sociology major and his communications minor.

Outside the classroom, White lives in an apartment with teammates Akeem Priestley and Josh Ford. It’s in his apartment where White’s other passion, cooking, starts to come out.

He and Priestley, who have been friends since meeting at age 13 in Jamaica, love to cook traditional Jamaican cuisine which includes everything from jerk chicken to fish with rice to dumplings.

“We bring our heritage here,” Priestley said. “We try and give it to the Americans. We do that sometimes, invite over the teammates. Everyone loves the Jamaican food.”

While White’s return to college life may seem busy and hectic, his decision to do so was happily received by coaches, teammates and fans.

At the end of the day, however, the only person his decision ultimately affected was White himself.

But he seems to think that he made the right decision.

“I love the campus and everything,” White said. “To get a chance to play on this team again and just to be here and play for the fans and everybody at UConn is really great. UConn has been really good to me, so I thought it would be good to come back and represent.”

Originally written by Mark Gauthier.

Trophy News From the University of Connecticut

University of Connecticut men’s soccer player O’Brian White (Scarborough, Ontario) headlines the list of 48 men’s Division I intercollegiate soccer players that comprise the Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy Watch List for 2008, as released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Tuesday.

Connecticut and Saint Louis each have three players on the soccer trophy list, as does reigning national champion Wake Forest. Four other schools have two players recognized: Central Connecticut State, Creighton, Harvard and Loyola (Md.).

White, a senior forward, elected to stay at UConn instead of turning professional and now has the opportunity to become the first men’s player to repeat as a Hermann Trophy winner since Virginia’s Mike Fisher received the award in 1995 and 1996. Only three players have earned the Hermann trophy in consecutive seasons: Fisher and Saint Louis University products Mike Seerey (1971-72) and Al Trost (1969-70).

Considered the highest individual honor in intercollegiate soccer, the recipients of the MAC’s Hermann Trophy are selected by Division I head coaches who are current members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. A list of 15 semifinalists is selected by a coaches committee in November, with three finalists announced in early December. They will invited to the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis, Mo., for a news conference on Jan. 9, 2009, where the winner will be announced, with a presentation banquet following.

Originally Written by UConnHuskies.com Staff

Trophy News from ESPN

Kobe Bryant recently said he would rather win an Olympic gold medal than the NBA championship. Was he merely saying what was politically correct before the Olympics? Did he say it only because it sounds better than “I would rather win an Olympic gold medal than lose the NBA championship”? Or does an Olympic gold medal really mean more to him than a professional championship?

Only Kobe knows for sure but what about you? What sporting trophy means the most to you? Of all the things you could win in sports, which would you choose? A Super Bowl ring? The Masters green jacket? The Heisman Trophy? The Cy Young Award? A World Series? A Final Four? There are dozens upon dozens of championships and awards to win, but which would you most want to claim?

Here are a few quick caveats on my rankings:

The form of the award matters. Trophies top plaques, and the bigger the better. After all, you want the damn thing to look impressive in your trophy case.

Names count, too. Awards named in honor of a person (such as the Cy Young) just resonate more than those that, while prestigious, are named something boring and generic like the “MVP award.”

Durability counts. Generally, the longer the award has been around, the more it means.

Originally Written by Jim Caple for ESPN