The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB's Abdullah Named C-USA Freshman of the Year
11/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
IRVING, Texas ---- Four UAB women's soccer players have been honored by Conference USA, the league office announced Tuesday. Nasra Abdullah was named Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-Conference USA pick. Sophomore Jill Porto was named first-team all-conference and Pam Cooney and Sally Palmer nabbed second-team all-conference honors as well.
"These awards are always interesting because they reflect what the individual has done and as well as the team," said UAB head coach Paul Harbin. "The awards help people recognize the quality of this entire team. Jill and Sally have been great this year and have played well in conference. They are dangerous players everytime they step on the field. Pam Cooney has been a corner stone every year for us and it's wonderful to have Nasra honored as Freshman of the Year. There are a lot of big time freshman in the conference and it's nice to see her be recognized for her play."
Abdullah became just the second Blazer to be named first-team all-conference in her freshman season. Melissa Urbani earned first team all-conference honors in her freshman campaign in 1996.
Porto was also named to the all-conference first team after totaling nine goals in 18 games this season. Palmer is UAB's leading scorer with nine goals and four assists. Cooney is one of the top defenders in the league. Abdullah was also named to the all-freshman team, becoming the fifth Blazer picked for the all-rookie squad in the last three seasons.
UAB finished the regular season with an 8-9-1 overall record and 4-4-1 in the conference. The Blazers face Rice in the opening round of the 2005 Conference USA Tournament Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. CT.
2005 C-USA AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Year
Shoko Mikami, Memphis
Defensive Player of the Year
Courtney Baines, UCF
Freshman of the Year
Nasra Abdullah, UAB
Coach of the Year
John Cossaboon, SMU
All-Conference First Team
F: Kimber Bailey, SMU
F: Shoko Mikami, Memphis
F: Roberta Pelarigo, UCF
MF: Nasra Abdullah, UAB
MF: Susanne Collins, SMU
MF: Sophia Mundy, Houston
MF: Jill Porto, UAB
D: Courtney Baines, UCF
D: Erin Droeger, Rice
D: Carley Phillips, SMU
GK: Ashley Gunter, SMU
All-Conference Second Team
F: Meghan McCallion, East Carolina
F: Sally Palmer, UAB
F: Caitlin Robbins, Rice
F: Jami Tullius, UTEP
MF: Asuka Kubota, Memphis
MF: Jennifer Montgomery, UCF
MF: Kaletia Roberts, UTEP
D: Pam Cooney, UAB
D: Beth Martin, Rice
D: Kat Norris, East Carolina
GK: Brittany Popoff, UTEP
All-Freshman Team
Nasra Abdullah, MF, UAB
Courtney Gaines, MF, Houston
Ashley Gunter, GK, SMU
Kylie Hayes, F, Memphis
Jennifer Kacergis, MF/F, Tulsa
Ashley Lucas, MF, Rice
Sarah McFadden, F, Southern Miss
Nicole Moore, D, East Carolina
Kirsten Moran, MF, SMU
Caitlin Robbins, F, Rice
Carley Phillips, D, SMU
