Oct. 30, 2001
MIAMI, Fla. - The University of Denver women's soccer team was rewarded for its unprecedented season with nine all-conference awards, including a league-high five first-team honors, during the Sun Belt Conference Championship awards banquet. The festivities were held on Tuesday (Oct. 30) night at the Graham Center on the campus of Florida International University, the site of the Sun Belt Conference Women's Soccer Championship Tournament.
Juniors Katie Antongiovanni (Bakersfield, Calif.), Erica Izard (Fort Collins, Colo.), Angie Portincaso (Littleton, Colo.) and Kristin Warren (Littleton, Colo.) and sophomore Jamie Norwood (Littleton, Colo.) were named to the first team. Junior Camile Flenniken (Northglenn, Colo.) and sophomore Mychael Movius (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) received second team honors. Head coach Jeff Hooker was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Pioneers to the best regular season record in school history (14-2-1).
In addition to earning first team honors, Antongiovanni was also named league Newcomer of the Year after leading the Pioneers in scoring this season with 29 points (12 goals, five assists). Izard, the league's top goalkeeper this season, allowed just three goals in eight conference matches and posted a league best GAA of 0.39. In addition, she was named conference player of the week on Sept. 10 and Oct. 22. Her shutout streak of 826:01 this season ranks eighth all-time in NCAA history.
Portincaso anchored Denver's defense, which shut down opponents' offensive attack and posted a school-record 13 shutouts on the season to lead the nation in that category. Warren earned first-team plaudits for the second straight year with her dominating performance at the midfield position. She ended the regular season third on the team in scoring with 20 points (eight goals, four assists). Norwood, the league's best offensive defender, recorded two goals, led the team with nine assists and received national honors twice this season as a member of national teams of the week chosen by Soccer Buzz (Oct. 10) and Soccer America (Oct. 17).
Flenniken and Movius earned second team honors for their unparalleled performance this season. Flenniken contributed 13 points to Denver's attack (four goals, five assists) and provided the Pioneers with an additional weapon up front. Movius tallied 17 points on the year (six goals, five assists) and offered Denver strength in the midfield.
Florida International University senior Michele O'Brien was named Sun Belt Player of the Year for the second straight year and Middle Tennessee forward Danielle LaDuke picked up Freshman of the Year honors. The awards were voted on by the league's eight head coaches.
The Pioneers face No. 6 seed Louisiana-Lafayette this Wednesday, October 31, in a first-round match-up at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. Kick-off is set for 5 p.m. Mountain Time. Denver defeated the Ragin' Cajuns, 4-0, at home this season in the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
2001 Sun Belt Conference Postseason Honors
FIRST TEAM
* Katie Antongiovanni, Jr., MF, Denver
Ifeoma Dieke, Jr., MF, Florida International
Erica Izard, Jr., GK, Denver
Carrie Kveton, Sr., MF, North Texas
*Marilyn Marin, So., F, North Texas
* Jamie Norwood, So., D, Denver
*Michele O'Brien, Sr., F, Florida International
Angie Portincaso, Jr., D, Denver
Cindy Rainville, Sr., F, South Alabama
Gina Turner, Sr., D, North Texas
* Kristin Warren, Jr., MF, Denver
SECOND TEAM
Nicola Bell, Jr., MF, Florida International
Camile Flenniken, Jr., MF, Denver
Monica Housden, So., GK, North Texas
Erika Jaderblom, Sr., D, Florida International
Danielle LaDuke, Fr., F, Middle Tennessee
Lisa Langrish, Fr., MF, Middle Tennessee
Siri Meckelborg, So., D, Florida International
Mychael Movius, So., F, Denver
Sasja Odenyo, Sr., F, Florida International
Sheri Robbins, Jr., D, Middle Tennessee
Michelle Uselton, Jr., MF, North Texas
Player of the Year: Michele O'Brien, Sr., F, Florida International
Freshman of the Year: Danielle LaDuke, Fr., F, Middle Tennessee
Newcomer of the Year: Katie Antongiovanni, Jr., MF, Denver
Coach of the Year: Jeff Hooker, Denver
*=unanimous selection
