Florida Soccer Holds Annual Team Awards Banquet Monday
Tuesday, April 21, 2015 | Soccer
The University of Florida soccer team held its annual awards banquet Monday evening.
A pair of Gator juniors shared the Most Valuable Player on defense award. Claire Falknor and Christen Westphal started every match in 2014 and led the Gators in minutes per match (Falknor – 89.0 minutes per match / Westphal – 87.3 mpm). Both earned All-Southeastern Conference honors, with Westphal appearing on the first team and Falknor on the second team. Westphal also was a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-South Region first-team pick for second consecutive year. Falknor leaves later this week to a U.S. Under 23 National Team camp. The Iron Gator Award also went to Falknor for her strength and conditioning work in- and off-season.
Sophomore Savannah Jordan picked up her second consecutive Most Valuable Player on offense honor. She appeared on the NSCAA All-America second team and was a first-team selection for both All-Region and All-SEC for the second straight year. She shared the 2014 SEC points (46) and goals (19) lead. Those totals ranked No. T7 for points and No. 8 in goals in the final NCAA Division I season stats. Her career total of 41 goals is second only to Gator Great Abby Wambach freshman-sophomore total of 42.
| 2014 Florida Soccer Team Awards | |
| Players' Choice | Havana Solaun |
| Offensive MVP | |
| Defensive MVP | |
| Erin Baxter Effort Award | Tessa Andujar & Lauren Silver |
| Leadership Award | Annie Bobbitt & Taylor Burke |
| Iron Gator | |
| Statistical Player of the Year | |
| Karyn Hall Academic Excellence | |
| Robin Fulton Academic Achievement | Annie Speese |
Senior Havana Solaun is the Players' Choice Award recipient for the second-straight year. The honor is given to the athlete who makes the biggest impression both on and off the field, as voted on by the members of the team. Solaun was a captain of the 2013 and 2014 teams. She also was an All-SEC first team selection and appeared on the Al-South Region team for the second consecutive year. Fellow seniors Annie Bobbitt and Taylor Burke received the 2014 Leadership Award.
Senior outside backs Tessa Andujar and Lauren Silver shared the Erin Baxter Effort Award, given to a player who pushes the team to higher levels. Andujar was an All-SEC first-team selection and also earned NSCAA All-South Region second team honors. Silver scored two goals and had two assists to equal her career high points total. She joined Jamaican National Team for October CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying play.
Sophomore Meggie Dougherty Howard received the Statistical Player of the Year. The Gators track statistics throughout the season, including passes/passes completed, touches and loss of possession. Dougherty Howard posted the best rating of all her stats combined among the Gators.
Sophomore Betsy Middleton received the Karyn Hall Academic Excellence Award for her overall academic achievement. She joined the Gators as a transfer from Miami (Florida) and has earned a 4.0 throughout her collegiate academic career. The Robin Fulton Academic Achievement Award, given to the player who displays hard work and determination in the classroom, was awarded to senior midfielder Annie Speese. She was among the 17 Gators who earned SEC Academic Honor Roll accolades in 2014.
The 2014 Gators posted an 17-4-2 record in the program's 20th season. Florida advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinal Round and placed No. 7 on the final NSCAA rankings. It was the Gators' 18th NCAA appearance.
