The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Porto and Abdullah Named to NSCAA All-Region Team
12/12/2005 12:00:00โฏAM | Women's Soccer
Dec. 12, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- Sophomore Jill Porto and freshman Nasra Abdullah were both named to the 2005 National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Region Team announced by the NSCAA office Monday. Porto was named second team All-Region as a midfielder while Abdullah made the third team.
"I'm very excited to see Jill and Nasra included in the top 33 players in what is traditionally the toughest Division I region in the country," said UAB head coach Paul Harbin. "To have our opponent's coaches select them alongside Full National Team players such as Heather O'Reilly, Lori Chalupny, Lindsay Tarpley, Viola Oderbrecht and Sel Keraly lets you know just how good they are. It's great to see coaches recognize what we at UAB have known all along. It's especially exciting considering that Jill and Nasra are so young and they've both got several years to keep getting better."
Porto started every game for the Blazers this season and finished the year with nine goals and 20 points. The Woodbridge, Va., native has received numerous honors including being named first team all-conference by Conference USA. She was also named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 10. In 2004, Porto earned All-C-USA freshman honors.
"Jill's long term goals in soccer include playing professionally and working to get in our US National Team program," said Harbin. "If she continues improving at this pace, there's no question in my mind that she'll have a chance to accomplish both. I'm extremely proud of her for doing everything necessary to achieve this recognition."
Abdullah was a key member in the Blazers success this year and is one of only three freshmen in the region to be named to the All-Region team. She was named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year for her stellar play. The Fjellhamer, Norway native recorded six assists, two goals and 10 points this season while playing in 19 games. She was named first team all-conference and named to the Nike Classic All-Tournament Team.
"Nasra is an exciting player to watch," said Harbin. "She makes her presence known with her workrate and flair with the ball. Like Jill, she's intent on playing at the next level, something she has already proven she can do as a member of the U21 Norwegian National Team. I'm very proud of her for this accomplishment and all she's done this year at UAB."
Porto and Abdullah both had great years in 2005 and will return for the Blazers next year.
2005 NSCAA All-Region Team
| 1ST TEAM | |||
| GK | ASHLEY PHILLIPS | SO | CLEMSON |
| B | MELANIE BOOTH | JR | FLORIDA |
| B | RONDA BROOKS | JR | AUBURN |
| B | CAROLYN FORD | SR | DUKE |
| M | LORI CHALUPNY | SR | NORTH CAROLINA |
| M | VIOLA ODEBRECHT | JR | FLORIDA STATE |
| M | KACEY WHITE | SR | NORTH CAROLINA |
| F | SEL KERALAY | SO | FLORIDA STATE |
| F | HEATHER O'REILLY | JR | NORTH CAROLINA |
| F | LINDSAY TARPLEY | SR | NORTH CAROLINA |
| F | INDIA TROTTER | JR | FLORIDA STATE |
| 2ND TEAM | |||
| GK | ALLISON LIPSHER | SO | DUKE |
| B | KENDALL FLETCHER | SR | NORTH CAROLINA |
| B | KELLY ROWLAND | JR | FLORIDA STATE |
| B | SARAH WAGENFUHR | FR | FLORIDA STATE |
| M | DENISE BROLLY | SR | FAU |
| M | RANDI-LYNN BRUSO | JR | GEORGIA |
| M | REBECCA MOROS | JR | DUKE |
| M | Jill Porto | SO | UAB |
| F | REBECCA BOHLER | SO | SAMFORD |
| F | MEG MCCALLION | SO | ECU |
| F | ALI WILLIAMS | SR | GEORGIA |
| 3RD TEAM | |||
| GK | MEGAN COYNE | JR | FAU |
| B | COURTNEY BAINES | SR | UCF |
| B | KATRINA HIRSCH | SR | KENNESAW STATE |
| B | MELANIE SCHNEIDER | SR | WAKE FOREST |
| M | Nasra Abdullah | FR | UAB |
| M | HEATHER BIRDSELL | SO | SAMFORD |
| M | DARBY KROYER | JR | DUKE |
| F | MEGAN KERNS | FR | FLORIDA |
| F | KARA KOEHRN | SR | DAVIDSON |
| F | SUSANNA LEHITINEN | SO | FAU |
| F | ROBERTA PELARIGO | JR | UCF |
