News release date: Feb. 28, 2002
Bowen, Schmitz Earn All-Region Honors; Team Awards Given
WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Two members of the Whitman College
women's soccer team, sophomore defender Meghan Bowen and freshman
forward Katey Schmitz, have been named to the NCAA Div. III Far
West All-Region Third Team.
The latest honors for Bowen and Schmitz were announced by
Whitman coach Scott Shields at a recent team banquet. Various
team awards were also announced at that time.
The All-America and All-Region teams are administered and
sponsored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America
(NSCAA) and the adidas sporting goods company.
Bowen and Schmitz earned All-Northwest Conference honors at
the end of the fall season. Schmitz, who led Whitman in scoring,
was named to the NWC First Team. Bowen received Honorable Mention
recognition for a second consecutive year.
In voting by Whitman players, Bowen has earned team Most
Valuable Player as well as Best Defensive Player honors in each
of her first two seasons. "Every team needs what Meghan brings to
a team -- energy, humor, win-or-die attitude, and true compassion
and respect for all of her teammates," Shields said.
A team captain as a sophomore, Bowen plays as well on offense
as she does on defense, Shields added. "She is our team's
quarterback, and she does a fantastic job organizing the
defense."
Schmitz is one of just six first-year players who earned spots
on the All-Region women's teams.
Shields also presented the following team awards during the
recent banquet:
Best Offensive Player - Erin Bray, junior midfielder.
Bray assisted on a team-high seven goals during the season. "Erin
captained the offense and is the kind of player who gets the ball
to the right person," Shields said. "Her greatest strength is her
vision of the field. Few players see the game as well as
Erin."
Most Inspirational Player - Sara Weihmann, sophomore
midfielder. Weihmann contributed two goals and three assists to
the Missionary offense. "What a fantastic player to have on any
team," Shields said. "Sara always brings energy and intelligence.
She has high expectations for herself, which is evident in her
work ethic, and she pushes all of her teammates to become better
players. She's always positive and ready to play in any given
situation."
Coach's Award - Lindsay Gore, sophomore defender.
"Lindsay is one of those behind-the-scene leaders," Shields said.
"She wasn't an elected captain this year, but all of her
teammates admire and respect her. She played in the middle of the
defensive line, and she was the player we used to mark the other
team's biggest offensive threat out of the game. She is
definitely one of our toughest players."
Most Improved Player - Jennifer Weissman, freshman
midfielder. "Jennifer did a fantastic job in her first season,"
Shields said. "Early in the year, she was a solid contributor off
the bench, but as the season continued, she became a starter as
outside midfielder. Her speed and athleticism are what make her
an offensive threat. She has a very dangerous shot, one that I
hope to see more frequently next season.
Despite fielding a relatively young roster, the Missionaries
compiled a 9-8-1 fall season.
CONTACT:
Dave Holden, Whitman Sports Information, 509 527-5902
Email: holden@whitman.edu