Women's Soccer Announces Team Awards
December 16, 2003 | Women's Soccer
The University of Wisconsin women's soccer team recently announced its team award-winners for the 2003 season during a recent season-ending banquet. The Badgers finished their campaign with a 10-9-2 overall record and a 4-6-0 mark in Big Ten play. UW knocked off top-seeded Penn State in the opening round of the Big Ten tournament before falling to Michigan in the semifinals. All awards were voted on by members of the team.
Offensive Most Valuable Player: Katy Lindenmuth
Lindenmuth, a sophomore midfielder from Geneva, Ill., displayed a remarkable knack for setting up her teammates, while finding the back of the net herself when she had the opportunity. She led the team with seven assists and 19 points and tied for second on the squad with six goals. Her finest performance came in a 4-3 win at Minnesota on Oct. 24 when she posted a team season-high five points on two goals and an assist. Lindenmuth was a second-team All-Big Ten selection and was named to the all-tournament team at the Rocky Rococo Invite.
Defensive Most Valuable Player: Bethany Heine
A former walk-on from Waukesha, Wis., Heine developed into Wisconsin most consistent defender during her senior season. An Academic All-Big Ten pick, she headed up a strong, experience group in the back and served as one of the team's three captains this season. Heine had one of the strongest legs on the team and took the majority of the team's goal kicks and corner kicks. She also displayed the ability to put her teammates in position to score on the offensive end, ranking in a tie for second on the squad with six assists.
Team Most Valuable Player: Jenny Kundert
Kundert, a senior forward from Madison, Wis., was the straw that stirs the drink for the Badgers offensively. A dangerous playmaker, Kundert led UW with seven goals and five game-winning goals this season and finished her career ranked second on the school's all-time assists list with 24. She battled nagging injuries all season long, but when Kundert was on the field she gave her team a chance to win every game. Kundert was named second-team All-Big Ten, third-team all-region and was the Big Ten 's Offensive Player of the Week for Sept. 8.
Freshman Most Valuable Player: Kara Kabellis
A gritty, determined player with a rocket for a shot, Kabellis burst onto the scene for Wisconsin this season, recording six goals and two assists for 14 points. The Homer Glen, Ill., native had her best match of the year on Sept. 9 against Marquette, posting a goal and two assists in a 3-0 win over in-state rival Marquette. Kabellis didn't fade late in the season, scoring goals in each of the Badgers ' three final regular season contests. She led the team with 50 shots and tied for first with 22 shots on goal.
Coach's Award: Lisa Himrod, Marla Froelich
Senior midfielder Lisa Himrod appeared in 60 matches, including 17 during each of her first three seasons, in her Badger career. She played in nine contests this season, including four Big Ten matches. The St. Charles, Ill., native earned a start on Senior Day against UW-Green Bay on Nov. 2. She recorded one goal and two assists in her four seasons.
Froelich, a junior forward from Iowa City, Iowa, was an Academic All-Big Ten selection this season while appearing in 20 of the team's 21 matches, making 12 starts. She tallied two goals and two assists for six points. Her goal against Illinois on Oct. 3 broke the Fighting Illini's string of shutouts in five straight matches. She also notched a goal in a 3-1 win over St. Mary's (Calif.) on Aug. 31.
