News release date: Jan. 30, 2003
Bowen Earns All-Region Honors; Team Awards Given
WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- For a second consecutive season, Meghan
Bowen, a defender on the Whitman College women's soccer team, has
been named to the NCAA Div. III Far West All-Region Third
Team.
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, a junior, was named to the All-Northwest Conference
First Team at the end of the fall season. Bowen, who Whitman
coach Scott Shields calls the "backbone of our defense," played
all but about 20 minutes of the past season.
In recent voting by Whitman players, Bowen also earned her
team's Most Valuable Player and Best Defensive Player awards for
a third consecutive season. "Megan's academic classes last fall
were very challenging, but she continued to play at the highest
level," Shields said. "She's also our inspirational leader and
our motivator, and she has the biggest heart on the team. Her
teammates know that Meghan cares for them all, regardless of
their role on the team."
Other Whitman team awards given for the 2002 fall season
were:
Best Offensive Player - McKenzie Hoffman, freshman
forward. The third member of her family to play soccer at
Whitman, Hoffman led the Missionaries in scoring with eight goals
and one assist. Five of her goals came in two Northwest
Conference games against Pacific Lutheran. She booted a hat trick
in a 4-2 victory over the Lutes and had two more goals in a 3-2
Whitman loss.
"McKenzie is a very good forward," Shields said. "What can you
say? Anyone who gets a hat trick in our league deserves high
praise and accolades."
Most Inspirational Player - Erin Bray, junior midfielder.
Voted Best Offensive Player for the 2001 season when she assisted
on seven goals, Bray continued to direct the offense last fall.
She accounted for three assists and one goal, and maintained her
role as "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."
Bray, a senior academically, won't return to play a fourth
season in the fall. "Erin was a team captain, and overall was the
most talented player on our team," Shields said. "She will be
truly missed on the field next season, although she is coming
back as an assistant coach."
Coach's Award - Kim Boese, sophomore defender. Playing in
all 18 games, 17 of them as a starter, Boese was a key member of
the defense who also tallied one goal and one assist during the
season. "Kim may be quiet, but she's also very motivated and one
of the hardest workers on the team," Shields said. "She never
misses a practice or game, and ranks among our leaders in all of
the physical tests. She's an extremely reliable player, and
she'll soon be one of our true leaders."
Most Improved Player - Jennifer Telfer, freshman
midfielder. After breaking a toe early in the season, Telfer
returned in time to play in 11 games. "Jennifer was our nicest
surprise from the freshman class," Shields said. "Once she was
healthy enough to play, she continued to improve, game after
game. By season's end, she was sharing a startig role in the
center-midfield. I expect great things from her next season."
Despite fielding a relatively young roster last fall, the
Missionaries compiled a 9-8-1 season record.
CONTACT:
Dave Holden, Whitman Sports Information, 509 527-5902
Email: holden@whitman.edu