Murray State University Athletics
Soccer Earns Defensive Player and Coach of the Year Honors
11/7/2008 12:45:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Seven
The awards were handed out on the eve of the OVC Soccer Tournament that MSU will host Friday and Sunday at Cutchin Field in
Racer sophomore goalkeeper Tara Isbell (
Seniors Rebekah Clay (
MSU freshman Sophie Hargreaves (
The Racers also placed two freshmen, Rachel Wright (
MSU Head Coach Beth Acreman was named the Brine OVC Coach of the Year.
The hardware MSU received is the result of a record 12-win season and the program's first OVC regular season championship.
"All conference awards are a testimony to the success of our team. I am excited for each individual player but more for the team as a whole,” said Acreman. “I know each one of our players being recognized understands that it has been a team effort all season and these awards are shared."
MSU'S FIELD GENERAL ? BETH ACREMAN
Going into her third season as head coach at MSU, Acreman is MSU's first OVC Coach of the Year. Her team improved week by week in 2008 and she shares the honor with student-athletes and staff.
"I am very honored to receive the coach of the year award,” Acreman said. “It is a tribute to the hard work of my team and staff. A coach is only as good as the people around them and I could not ask for a better group. I am proud and privileged to work with such a motivated team."
ISBELL HELPS LOCKDOWN OPPONENTS
Tara Isbell is MSU's first OVC Defensive Player of the Year. She has covered the MSU net in every minute of 19 matches this season breaking her own record for minutes played in a single season, currently at 1765:33. Isbell is also on pace to break her 2007 program record, with her 0.86 goals against average. She has already set a single-season mark with eight shutouts this season.
As with any good goalkeeper, the defenders in front of Isbell also share in the award. MSU's defense, perhaps the best in the league, keeps the shots that Isbell has to face to a minimum.
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MSU SENIOR SALUTE
Rebekah Clay and Melisa Curry are two of MSU's five seniors that have been the foundation of the Racer program since arriving in 2005. Clay becomes MSU's first four-time All-OVC pick and Curry makes All-OVC honors for the first time.
"Rebekah Clay is now a four-time All-OVC pick which is something to be very proud of,” Acreman said. “She is a fantastic player who is great both on and off the field. She is a complete player who will leave a mark here at both
"Melisa Curry has also been an outstanding leader this season,” Acreman added. “She embraced her new position in the backfield and has been a solid defender all year. She constantly plays with energy and determination which always inspires her teammates."
BREAKTHROUGH SOPHOMORE ? KATIE WILSON
Katie Wilson improved on a solid freshman season in 2007 and made All-OVC First Team as a sophomore this season. She is tied for the team lead with three game-winning goals and has totaled 13 points on five goals and three assists.
"Katie Wilson has grown so much as a player this season and I am so happy that her hard work has been recognized,” Acreman said. “She has scored some fantastic goals this year to help elevate her team."
DANGEROUS FOOT IN THE MIDDLE
Freshman Sophie Hargreaves' selection to the All-OVC Second Team was no surprise after she led the team in shots with 65. She has started in all 19 MSU matches with five goals and two assists. She is tied with Rachel Wright and Katie Wilson with three game-winning goals this season.
"Sophie plays with maturity beyond her years,” Acreman said. “She is smart, skilled, and consistent making her a fantastic all-round player."
MSU NEWCOMERS MAKE THEIR MARK
The Racers would not be where they are today without contributions from a newcomer class that entered the season rated the best in the OVC. Freshmen Rachel Wright and Veronika Pribyslavska played on opposite ends of the field and performed well for the Racers. Wright leads the Racers with 18 points on six goals and six assists, and Pribyslavaska has been a solid performer on the Racers back line, logging more than 1,400 minutes. She has scored one goal and assisted on two others.
"Veronika is one of the most athletic players in the conference,” Acreman said. “She is strong and dangerous on the dribble and has done extremely well for us this season."
"Rachel has been battling an injury this season but has done an excellent job in the games she has played,” Acreman added. “She has unbelievable speed and has done a great job in her first year."
The Racers will face
