Soccer Holds Annual Award Banquet

AMES, Iowa- The Iowa State soccer team held its annual banquet Saturday afternoon in the atrium of the Jacobson Athletic Building. Head coach Rebecca Hornbacher and her staff honored several student-athletes as the team gathered to celebrate accomplishments from the 2006 season.

Senior defender Kate Kirwan was named Most Valuable Player by her teammates. Kirwan helped anchor the Iowa State defense, playing every minute of every match this season. Kirwan was named to the Diadora Classic All-Tournament Team and led Iowa State as a co-captain of the team. The Flower Mound, Texas, native, started 78 out of 79 matches for the Cyclones, finishing her career in the ISU recordbooks tied for second in career games played and tied for fourth in career games started.

Kirwan was also awarded the Consistency Award from the soccer coaching staff given to a player who embraces her role on the team and signifies her reliability throughout the season.

Junior midfielder/forward Brittanie Waddell received the Cyclone Power Award, which recognizes outstanding effort and dedication in training sessions. Waddell was also recognized by the Iowa State strength and conditioning staff with the Iron Woman Award for excellence in strength and conditioning during the off-season. The co-captain was honored with the Leadership award as well.

Waddell, an Urbandale, Iowa, native, set career-highs in every statistical category this season including five goals and an assist. Waddell highlighted the season by scoring the game-winning goals vs. North Dakota State and Creighton, and by being named Most Valuable Player of the Diadora Classic All-Tournament Team.

Junior co-captain Stephanie Kaphingst earned the Hard Hat Award, recognizing work ethic in addition to physical and mental toughness. Kaphingst finished the season third in team scoring with three goals, including a game-winner against Northern Iowa.

The Cyclone Excellence Award was given to Lauren Odino, for exemplifying a positive attitude and showing excellence both on and off the field. The Cyclones also honored the freshman with the Newcomer of the Year award. The Coppell, Texas, native played in all 20 matches and recorded four goals and an assist. She was named the Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Week on Sept. 26, for her performances against Nebraska and North Dakota State.

Lauren Fader was named Most Improved Player for the 2006 season. The freshman from Cincinnati, Ohio, was a key contributor in Iowa State's upset over Nebraska by scoring the game-winning goal. Fader started against Kansas on Oct. 13, and played the entire match of every game the rest of the season.

The academic achievements of several student-athletes were also recognized. Five Iowa State student-athletes were named to the 2006 Academic All-Big 12 Soccer Team. Four were named to the first team and another received second team honors, including senior Kirwan and junior Maggie McManemin. Both students earned a remarkable 4.0 grade-point average for the fall semester. Kirwan earned academic All-Big 12 honors for the fourth-consecutive season.

The two ISU seniors, Kirwan and Jess Villhauer were also honored for their leadership and commitment to the Iowa State soccer program.

Players Mentioned

Lauren Fader

Lauren Fader

Stephanie Kaphingst

Stephanie Kaphingst

Kate Kirwan

Maggie McManemin

Maggie McManemin

Lauren Odino

Lauren Odino

Jess Villhauer

Brittanie Waddell

Brittanie Waddell

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