Ohio Soccer Announces 1999 Team Awards

Contact: Heather Czeczok (740-593-1299 or sports.media@ohio.edu)

ATHENS, Ohio (May 9, 2000) -- The Ohio women's soccer team recently announced its 1999 team awards at its annual soccer awards banquet.

Sophomore defender Betsy Dopps received the Most Valuable Player award for her consistency and dependability in the backfield. Senior goalkeeper Lori Schmidt and senior forward Lori Spitler were both honored with the Most Improved Award. This award is given to those showing the greatest improvement in desire, work rate, and enthusiasm. The Unsung Hero Award, given to a consummate team leader who demonstrates a positive demeanor and high work rate was presented to senior midfielder Colleen O'Brien.

The team also recognized players who had received honors during the season. Spitler was a first-team All-MAC selection for the third-straight season as well as being named second-team all-state and first-team all-academic by the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association. Sophomore Nicki Pendleton was a second-team All-MAC pick, an all-tournament selection at the MAC Championship and the UConn Soccer Classic and was tabbed first-team all-state by the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association.

Other award winners include MAC All-Tournament Team honors for Dopps, second-team Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association All-Academic for Ashley Jakeway and UConn Soccer Classic All-Tournament Team selection for Megan Cummins.

Ohio finished the regular season with a 9-10-1 overall record and a 6-5-1 Mid-American Conference record. Ohio finished regular season play ranked fifth in the MAC but defeated Buffalo in the first round of the MAC Tournament only to fall to the top seeded Eastern Michigan.