Six Panthers Win League AwardsNov. 5, 2003 INDIANAPOLIS - Complete Release in PDF Format
On the eve of the Horizon League women's soccer tournament, six University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer players were honored as the league announced its 2003 postseason awards winners on Thursday (Nov. 6). The league-champion Panthers placed two players on the All-Horizon League First-Team and three more student-athletes on the Second-Team squad. "I'm really proud of the women that won the individual awards for our team tonight," Panther head coach Mike Moynihan commented. "We put a lot of focus on team and team success. The individual awards are an added bonus for our athletes." Leading the UWM honorees is senior Jeney Walter. Walter, a Racine-native was a member of last year's All-Tournament team and is making her first appearance as a First-Team All-Horizon League member. The defender appeared in 17 games , starting 16 of the matches. Walter was chosen a team captain in 2003 and it has shown on the field. "Jeney is one of those players that works extremely hard," Moynihan noted. "She really deserved this recognition because she's taken on the responsibility of being one of our team's leaders with a great attitude. She plays hard and really helped us rebound from a slow start." Joining Walter as a First Team All-Horizon League member is freshman Ginny Graczyk. The Libertyville, Ill.-native has started all 18 matches UWM has played in this season. Furthermore, Gracyzk is tied for the team scoring lead with 11 points on two goals and seven assists. The awards didn't stop there for the freshman as she was also named to the league's All-Newcomer team as well as being honored as the Horizon League Newcomer of the Year. She is the first Panther to receive the award since UWM became a member of the Horizon League. "Ginny has been very steady for us all year long,"Coach Moynihan said. "She gives us a chance to succeed every time she runs set pieces. Graczyk did a nice job of staying strong defensively for us." In addition to the two First-Team members, Milwaukee also placed three athletes on the All-Horizon League Second Team squad. Making their first appearances on the list are Brenda Andrews and Erin Shaughnessy. Making her second consecutive appearance is Elizabeth Chudy. Andrews has been a steady defender for UWM all season, notching one goal in 15 starts while serving as a rugged, hard-nosed defender. Shaughnessy, a senior, is considered one of the team's leaders. A representative at the NCAA Leadership Conference this past school year, "Shauno" has scored two goals and notched one assist on the season. "Brenda is someone you can always consider to be steady,"Moynihan noted. "Erin really does her best to look out for other players,"coach Moynihan pointed out. "She always finds a way to come prepared for anything and is always full of energy." Chudy, a Milwaukee-native and Pius XI grad, ended the 2003 regular season on fire and earned her second career Horizon League Athlete of the Week nominee. The sophomore forward scored three goals on the week, highlighed by a two goal performance in UWM's 2-1 victory over Big Ten Conference foe Northwestern on Sunday. With the three-goal week, Chudy became the team's leading goal scorer with five. "Liz rises to the occasion," Moynihan stated. "She loves the competition and really wants to be the difference maker in a match. She finds a way to make a positive impact." Rounding out the list of Panthers who won awards is Freshman Taylor Powell. Powell, a Madison-native, joined Graczyk on the 11-player All-Newcomer team. Powell has scored three goals on the campaign with two of the markers coming against league competition. "Taylor was awesome for us in the beginning of the season," Moynihan added. "She has a tremendous upside and I wouldn't be surprised if she makes an appearance on the First Team All-League in the future."
With the league awards having been handed out, The No. 1 seeded Panthers will practice Thursday and make final preparations for their semifinal game on Friday, November 7 in the Horizon League Soccer Tournament. The Panthers will square off against the winner of the Wright State and Detroit contest. Friday's semifinal is set to begin at 5:00 p.m. at the Loyola Soccer Park in Chicago.
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