The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Women's Soccer Announces Team Awards At Annual Banquet
2/7/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Feb. 7, 2007
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB women's soccer team distributed its team awards at its annual end of the season banquet on January 26, along with revisiting its championship season and honoring the out-going senior class. Laura Richards, Sally Palmer and Rachael Axon took top honors by being named Co-MVP's.
"Having the team recognize three Co-MVP's is quite fitting in a team whose strength was the ability to maximize the potential of the group," said UAB head coach Paul Harbin. "In any successful team you generally have a strong spine, one that connects and strengthens the rest of the team. Sally, Rachael and Laura were that strong spine for us. Without question they deserve to share the MVP honor."
Richards, Palmer and Axon led the 2006 edition of the UAB women's soccer team to a Conference USA tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament. Throughout the season, all three players picked up multiple individual honors and recognitions for their talents and efforts.
Richards, a senior defender, was named to the Conference USA All-Tournament team as well as being honored as the Defensive MVP of the tournament. She was also listed on the Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week on November 8.
A junior forward that ranked among C-USA's best in many categories this past season, Palmer led UAB in goals with nine, and points with 20. Palmer was a second-team all-conference selection, as well as being named to the All-Southeast Region teams by both Soccer Buzz and the NSCAA.
Axon made a tremendous impact during her freshman season at UAB, earning second-team all-conference and C-USA all-freshman team accolades. She was also a member of the Conference USA All-Tournament squad, scoring one of UAB's three goals in the tournament championship match to help the Blazers win the title, 3-2.
Junior Jenny Meyer was honored as the team's Most Improved Player this season. Meyer played sparingly during the beginning of the season and evolved into a starter for the Blazers, making 10 appearances in UAB's starting lineup.
"Following this year's conference tournament, the coaching staff from one of the teams we had played earlier in the year and in the tournament approached me with a comment about Jenny," said Harbin. "We had lost to this team the first time around and beat them in the tournament. They commented that, from the first match to the second match they thought Jenny may have been the most improved player in the country. It was wonderful for them to recognize that as we were thing the similar thoughts. It's been great to see Jenny's level of competence match her passion for the game."
Another junior honored was Katie Henricks, who was the recipient of the Coaches' Award. The award is given to the player that best embodies the ideals of the UAB women's soccer team. The recipient of this honor shall be competitive on the field, intensely successful in the classroom and represent the program and university in a positive manner on and off the field.
"Katie has evolved as much as any other player I've ever coached," said Harbin. "Over the past year her work ethic and determination has allowed her to excel as one of the absolute best students and athletes in the program. In addition, she is a joy to be around. She epitomizes everything we want this program to be about."
Along with individual awards, the Blazers were also presented with their Conference USA tournament championship rings and the NSCAA Team Academic Award.
At the conclusion of the evening, the coaching staff honored the 2006 senior class for their contributions and dedication throughout their careers at UAB. Richards, Leigh Burton, Katie Forbis, Philo Mbong, Julie McFarlane and Jennifer Williams completed their Blazer careers with a bang, winning their third conference championship in four years.
"Every senior class is special and that's certainly the case with this one as well. Laura, Philo, Jennifer, Leigh, Julie and Katie are all incredible young women," said Harbin. "It has been an honor to have them here at UAB."
"In addition to being excellent student-athletes, they are also wonderful and caring people. It's only fitting that they leave here as the most accomplished class in the history of our program, continuing to set new standards as have the senior classes before them."
