Florida Soccer Team Holds Annual Awards Banquet
Sunday, April 13, 2008 | Soccer
The University of Florida soccer team held its annual awards banquet Sunday afternoon at the F-Club in the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Seniors KeLeigh Hudson, Shana Hudson and Daniela Sanchez shared the Players' Choice award, an honor given to the athletes that makes the biggest impression both on and off the field, based on a vote of the players. In 2007, KeLeigh Hudson was second among the Gators in goals (9), assists (5) and points (23), earning All-Southeastern Conference second team honors. Shana Hudson and Sanchez served as captains of the 2007 Florida team. Shana Hudson started every match on the Gator backline and turned in a career-high three goals from her right back position. Sanchez appeared in every match, starting 12 at midfield.
The Gator Offensive MVP award went to senior Stacy Bishop. She led the Gator scoring for the second consecutive season, turning in 10 goals and assists for 30 points. Bishop was a SoccerBuzz.com All-America fourth-team selection and earned her second consecutive spot on the All-SEC first team. Sophomore Lauren Hyde picked up the Gator Defensive MVP award. Hyde, a 2007 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-America third-team and an All-SEC first team selection, started every match at center back. She led the Gators with her average of more than 91 minutes player per match.
Senior defender Shelley Lyle was given the Coaches' Award, which recognizes a player whose contributions to the team are sometimes overshadowed. A captain for the 2007 Gators, Lyle started every match, making nine starts at midfield and the last 15 at center back. She was second among the Gators with her average of more than 88 minutes played per match. She was named to the SEC All-Tournament team as a senior.
The Iron Gator Award was given to junior Ameera Abdullah for her strength and conditioning work in- and off-season. Three Gators turned in 4.0 grade point averages for the fall, 2007 semester - Bishop, Bianca Gibbs Bentley and Jenny Taylor - earning them the team's Academic Achievement award. Junior Liz Ruberry picked up the Academic Performance award, given to a player who maximizes their academic potential.
Senior Ashley Harris was presented with the inaugural Special Achievement Award. Harris is only the second student-athlete in the 36-year history of University of Florida women's athletics to earn varsity letters from three different Gator sports. She was a four-year letterwinner for the Gator soccer team, posting a career-high eight goals and 19 points to rank third on the 2007 team. She also earned letters as part of the 2007 softball and the 2005 indoor track & field teams. In her first-ever season playing the sport of softball, Harris was second among the 2007 Gators with 22 stolen bases.
The 2007 Florida soccer team claimed both the SEC and SEC Tournament titles, advanced to the NCAA Round of 16, ranked No. 17 in the final NSCAA poll and finished the season with a 17-5-3 record.
| 2007 Florida Soccer Team Awards | |
| Players' Choice (MVP voted by team) | KeLeigh Hudson, Shana Hudson and Daniela Sanchez |
| Most Valuable Player (Defensive) | Lauren Hyde |
| Most Valuable Player (Offensive) | Stacy Bishop |
| Coaches' Award | Shelley Lyle |
| Special Achievement Award | Ashley Harris |
| Iron Gator Award | Ameera Abdullah |
| Academic Achievement | Stacy Bishop, Bianca Gibbs Bentley, Jenny Taylor |
| Academic Performance (maximizing academic potential) | Liz Ruberry |
