Women's soccer wraps up 2009 with team awards
December 13, 2009 | Women's Soccer
Dec. 13, 2009
MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin women’s soccer team wrapped up its successful 2009 season with the annual end-of-the-year banquet. Head coach Paula Wilkins handed out team awards and honored the four seniors Sunday afternoon following the UW's first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 1993.
Six Badgers earned team awards, which were voted on by the players, with senior Whitney Owusu earning Team MVP honors. Owusu has been a dominant presence on the Badgers backline as the only player to play every minute of the season. Owusu scored her first collegiate goal against No. 12 Santa Clara and was a vital part of the Badger defense that helped the Badgers go unbeaten in nine of its last 10 games.
Freshman Lindsey Johnson has made an immediate impact on the Wisconsin defense, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors. In her first year, Johnson played in all 22 games and earned an assist with her flip throw-in during the first round of the NCAA tournament.
For the second year in a row, sophomore Laurie Nosbusch was named the Offensive Player of the Year. Nosbusch finished the season with a team-leading 18 points, firing six goals and picking up six assists. Nosbusch, a 2009 All-Big Ten selection, led the team in nearly every offensive category, including three game-winning goals.
Roxanne Carlson was named the team’s Unsung Hero, which is given to the player who was an invaluable member of the team going beyond athletic performance. Carlson helped the team on the field as well, knocking in the game-winning goal against 13th-ranked Central Florida to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
Sophomore Laruen Cochlin and freshman Alissa Scalzo both earned Most Improved honors to round out the teams’ award winners.
Along with Owusu, seniors Ashley Hedges, Krista Liskevych and Stephanie Krombach were each honored for their contributions on and off the field in their four-year career. The senior class helped lead the Badgers to a 10-6-6 record and a third place in finish in the Big Ten.
