Sauerbrunn and Hammond Named NSCAA All-Americans
Story Links
Dec. 13, 2003
CHARLOTTESVILLE – First-year defender Becky Sauerbrunn (St. Louis, Mo.) and second-year midfielder Kelly Hammond (Bowie, Md.) were named NSCAA All-Americans this week. Sauerbrunn was named to the first-team, becoming the first Cavalier to garner NSCAA First-Team All-America honors since Andrea Rubio in 1992.
“I am very excited for both Becky and Kelly,” stated Virginia head coach Steve Swanson. “These individual awards reflect well on our program and we take pride in them as a team. Both players distinguished themselves this season with an outstanding year.”
Sauerbrunn is the only freshman on the first-team and one of only three rookies among the 36 players honored. She made an immediate impact for the Cavaliers during her first season. She played every minute this year while anchoring a Virginia defense that allowed just 0.82 goals and 7.0 shots per game. Offensively, Sauerbrunn recorded two assists during her rookie season. Earlier, she had been recognized for her play by several organizations. The Atlantic Coast Conference named Sauerbrunn the conference’s Freshman of the Year while also naming her to the All-ACC second team. She is one of 12 finalists for the National Freshman of the Year Award by Soccer Buzz. In addition to her All-America honors from the NSCAA, she also received first-team All-Mid-Atlantic Region status from the organization.
Hammond earned second-team All-America honors from the NSCAA. She was a key part of the Cavaliers’ offense in 2003, leading the team in goals (12), points (30), and game-winning goals (6). Her goal and point totals were each the seventh-highest single-season total in school history, while her game-winning goal total ranks second in a season at UVa. She was honored for her play by the conference with First-Team All-ACC accolades and once as ACC Player of the Week. During the season, she was twice named to both the Soccer America and Soccer Buzz Team of the Week. Hammond is also one of the 12 finalists for the National Player of the Year Award from Soccer Buzz. Earlier this month, she also received first-team All-Mid-Atlantic Region honors from the NSCAA.
With their awards, Sauerbrunn and Hammond become the tenth and eleventh players in Cavalier history to earn NSCAA All-America honors. Sauerbrunn becomes Virginia’s third player to be named to the first-team. The duo are two of 17 players on this season’s roster with eligibility remaining for next season.