University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina Sweeps Soccer Buzz Southeast Regional Honors For 2003
January 29, 2004 | Women's Soccer
Jan. 29, 2004
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Lindsay Tarpley, Heather O'Reilly and Anson Dorrance were among the top players and coaches in women's college soccer for the 2003 season as Soccer Buzz Magazine's Southeast Region awards were announced Thursday. Forty-eight schools comprising the Southeast Region were eligible for Buzz awards, presented since 1996. Awards were decided by a vote open to all Division 1 Head Coaches and Soccer Buzz staff.
North Carolina's national championship dream season continued bringing good news to the Tar Heels as sophomore Lindsay Tarpley became the eighth consecutive UNC player to earn or share Buzz Southeast Region Player of the Year. Tarpley, last year's National Freshman of the Year, led the nation in scoring with 23 goals and 27 assists.
Carolina forward Heather O'Reilly turned in an outstanding late season run to garner Southeast Region Freshman of the Year honors. Her 16 goals and 11 assists included a string of scoring in every NCAA Tournament game. O'Reilly is the fourth Carolina rookie to win the top freshman honor since 1996.
With the first perfect season in women's collegiate soccer since 1993, North Carolina's Anson Dorrance grabbed the Southeast Region Coach of the Year award. At 27-0, the Tar Heels finished with the best record in NCAA soccer history. The regional honor marks the third time Dorrance has been named the top coach in the Southeast following previous honors in 1997 and 2001. Patrick Baker of Florida State was the runner-up for regional Coach of the Year honors.
The region's best players were named to one of three All-Regional teams. North Carolina led all schools with four players named to the first team while Duke, Florida and Florida State accounted for two players each. The first team honorees are:
F Leah Gallegos Florida State Sophomore
F Heather O'Reilly North Carolina Freshman
F Lindsay Tarpley North Carolina Sophomore
F Jessica Winton Georgia Senior
M Lori Chalupny North Carolina Sophomore
M Stephanie Freeman Florida Junior
M Allison Graham Clemson Sophomore
M Casey McCluskey Duke Junior
D Katie Beal Florida State Junior
D Melanie Booth Florida Freshman
D Catherine Reddick North Carolina Senior
D Kate Seibert Duke Sophomore
G Megan Rivera Auburn Junior
Sophomore midfielder Kacey White was named second-team All-Southeast Region while senior forward Alyssa Ramsey, senior defender Carmen Watley and freshman defender Jessica Maxwell were named to the third team. Both O'Reilly and Maxwell were named to the Southeast Region All-Freshman Team by Soccer Buzz.
In addition to the three regional teams, top rookies were named to the Southeast Regional All-Freshman team. Florida State had the most rookies named to the team with three selections. The Atlantic Sun had players from Georgia State and Stetson named to the All-Freshman squad.
Soccer Buzz national awards will be announced Friday, January 30. Regional and national media awards for sports information excellence, media guides and web sites will be announced later.
For 2003 awards as well as all honors presented since 1996, visit "Buzz Honors" at Soccer Buzz.
