Sarah Huffman Named ACC Defensive Player of the Year
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Nov. 1, 2004
CHARLOTTESVILLE – Six members of the Virginia women’s soccer team were honored with All-ACC selections the conference announced Monday, including third-year midfielder Sarah Huffman (Flower Mound, Texas) who was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. The Cavaliers led all schools with five players named to either the first or second team.
Huffman, also a first-team All-ACC selection for the second consecutive season, was honored for her part in the Virginia defense that led the conference with 12 shutouts and just eight goals allowed this season. The 12 shutouts tie a school record. Offensively, Huffman tallied four goals and 11 assists this season.
Fourth-year forward Lindsay Gusick (Livonia, Mich.) was the Cavaliers’ other first team All-ACC selection. She leads the Cavaliers in goals this season with 12 and ranks second on the team in scoring with 28 points. This season she has climbed to second in career goals at Virginia (39) and third in career points (98).
Second-year goalkeeper Christina de Vries (Westlake Village, Calif.) was named to the second-team All-ACC squad. She leads the ACC in shutouts (12), and goals against average (0.46) while playing every minute of the season in goal for the Cavaliers. Her 12 shutouts this season is a new Virginia single season record.
Second-year midfielder Shannon Foley (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) was also named to the second-team All-ACC squad. She leads the Cavaliers in scoring with 29 points on eight goals and a conference leading 13 assists. Her assist total has consistently ranked among the top five nationally all season long.
Third-year midfielder Noelle Keselica (Gaithersburg, Md.) also earned second-team All-ACC accolades. She has two goals and ten assists on the season, ranking among the top five in the conference in assists.
First-year forward/midfielder Sarah Curtis (Yellow Springs, Ohio) was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team. She appeared in every game for the Cavaliers, making three starts. She has three goals and one assist on the season.
“I think these honors are a great reflection of our team’s success this season,” states Virginia head coach Steve Swanson. “We are very excited for these six individuals and their selections are shared by our entire team as a reward for our team’s hard work this year.”
The Cavaliers, ranked No. 4 nationally, are the No. 2 seed for the upcoming ACC Tournament at the SAS Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. Virginia (14-2-1) will meet Virginia Tech (11-7-0) in Wednesday’s first quarterfinal beginning at noon.