Six members of last year's Terrier women's soccer team were recognized for their accomplishments both on and off the field at the team's annual breakup dinner on Sunday, February 16th.

Junior Katie Smurthwaite (West Hartford, CT), who was moved from the middle of the field to forward at the beginning of the season, was named the team's Most Valuable Offensive Player. The Outstanding Defensive Player Award went to junior Lesley Garvey (Hopewell Junction, NY), who overcame back ailments to lead the Terrier defense that allowed just 23 goals in 19 games. The other award recipients included sophomore Ashley Chassar (Lewiston, NY), who received the Boston University Women's Soccer Alumni Association Most Improved Player Award; freshman Brittany McDonald (Lindenhurst, NY), who was the Rookie of the Year; junior Rebecca Beyer (Kansas City, MO), who received the Academic Achievement Award; and senior Tiffany Chag (Bedford, NH), who was presented the Terrier Achievement Award for representing all the ideals of sportsmanship and loyalty.

Smurthwaite found herself playing her third position in three years with the Terriers. As a freshman, she played back. Then, as a sophomore, she was moved up to midfield. This past season, because of two major losses, she was moved up to forward.

The losses were Nicole Soules and Melissa Shulman. Soules graduated with 23 goals and 13 assists for 59 points. She ranked fourth in career goals, tied for sixth in assists, and fifth in total points. Shulman, who was third on the team in both goals with 6 and in points with 13 as a freshman in 2001, was sidelined in 2002 due to a leg injury.

As a result, Smurthwaite was called on to play forward, and she made the adjustment exceptionally well. She finished second on the team in points with 6, while she tied for second in goals with 2. There was no bigger goal scored all season, by any of the Terriers, than the one Smurthwaite scored in overtime to beat Boston College, 2-1.

"Katie did an excellent job making the adjustment to forward," said Terrier head coach Nancy Feldman. "We really relied on her, and she came through."

When last season began, it was not certain if Garvey would be able to play. In fact, she missed the entire Spring 2002 season with a bad back. During her freshman and sophomore seasons, she started 42 of the team's 44 games.

"Lesley really struggled with her back," said Feldman. "But, she showed stability and confidence playing back. Her poise was a huge factor for us."

The leader of a young defense, Garvey started all 19 games for the Terriers last fall and will go into the 2003 season as a starter in 61 of 63 games over the past three seasons.

Chassar was not on the Terrier team during the 2001 season and came out for winter workouts in January 2002. As a result of injuries to some of the veterans, Chassar had a chance to play in the spring and impressed Feldman.

"Because of the athleticism she showed in the winter, we invited her to stay with us all spring," said Feldman. "Then, she earned an invitation to pre-season camp based on her spring performance which showed she had promise to develop."

During the season, Chassar showed just how valuable she could be as she played in 16-of-19 games and scored two goals. One of the goals came in OT against Binghamton as the win kept the Terriers' America East post-tournament hopes alive. Then, in the Terriers' OT win over Boston College, she marked the Eagles' All-American Sarah Rahko and completely shut down the Eagles' top player.

Deidre Burke, the president of the Terrier women's soccer alumni group, presented the award to Chassar.

On a team where freshmen were forced to step in and play a key role, McDonald was voted by the players and coaches as the team's Rookie of the Year. She started all 19 games at back and never missed a minute of action during the 19 games.

"Brittany played every minute of every game and she was rock-solid on defense," said Feldman.

Beyer excelled in both the classroom and on the field. One of the team's tri-captains, she started 18 of the 19 games. The only game she missed was due to an injury. She tied for the team lead in assists with 3, while she was third in points with 5. With still another year ahead of her, she will go into her senior season with 12 goals and 7 assists for 31 points.

In the classroom, she has a 3.55 cumulative average in the College of Arts and Sciences. She also serves as a writing tutor in the College.

"Rebo has been an outstanding example of how to succeed both athletically and academically," said Feldman. "She has been on the Boston University and America East Honor Roll every semester."

Chag played in 16 games for the Terriers last year and scored the game-winning goal in the Terriers' 3-2 victory over UMass. It was her first goal in three years, and it served as a just reward for Chag, who had to redshirt the 2000 season following knee surgery. It was this doggedness that earned her the Terrier Achievement Award.

"This award epitomizes everything you look for in a person," said Feldman. "It is for sportsmanship, loyalty, and fairness, and no one deserved it more than Tif."