Women's soccer dishes out awards at annual banquet
December 13, 2010 | Women's Soccer
Dec. 13, 2010
Banquet Book 
MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin women’s soccer team concluded the 2010 season with its annual award banquet over the weekend. Head coach Paula Wilkins awarded five Badgers for their accomplishments this season and honored the team’s two seniors, Darcy Riley and Taryn Francel, for their commitment to the program.
All of the awards were voted on by the players, with redshirt junior Michele Dalton walking away with Most Valuable Player honors. As the team’s goalkeeper, Dalton helped the Badgers put together a nine-game shutout streak (Sept. 10-Oct.10), posting eight-straight shutouts herself. Wisconsin’s nine-game shutout streak tied the 1985 squad for most consecutive shutouts in program history.
In addition, Dalton helped the Badgers slate a program-best 930 minutes without allowing a goal. For her efforts, the Mt. Prospect, Ill., native was a second-team All-Big Ten honoree and also earned Big Ten Co-Defender of the Week honors for three-straight weeks during the season.
Helping Dalton secure the nine-game shutout streak was junior defender Meghan Flannery, who was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year. Flannery played every single minute for the Badgers in 2010 and she finished with one assist on the season. In addition, the Whitefish Bay, Wis., native was recognized for her talents by the league as a first team All-Big Ten award winner.
Joining Flannery as a first team All-Big Ten recipient was junior co-captain Laurie Nosbusch (Mequon, Wis.). For the third year in a row, Nosbusch was named the team’s Offensive Player of the Year. In 2010, she finished with 10 goals and one assist for 21 points in 18 games. In her first three years with the Badgers she has tallied 23 goals and 14 assists for 60 points.
Junior Leigh Williams (Tomball, Texas) 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. Williams finished the year with one assist in 18 games.
Fellow junior Lauren Cochlin wrapped up the list of awards as the team’s Most Improved Player. The Owatonna, Minn., native was tabbed with the award for the second-straight season after finishing the year with one goal and one assist.
During their senior season, Francel and Riley helped the Badgers reach the second round of the tournament for the 11th time in program history. Wisconsin finished with a 7-1-2 Big Ten mark for third place in the conference.
