LAS -- BYU nabbed four major Mountain West Conference post-season awards, the conference announced Tuesday.
Three-time All-American senior forward Katie Larkin was named the MWC Offensive Player of the Year. She helped lead the Cougars to their fifth regular-season conference title, the teams first since 2002. She finished third in the league in goals (4) and points (8) during conference play.
Junior defender Andrea Willis was named the MWC Defensive Player of the Year for her efforts in anchoring a defense that allowed only one goal in league play. Willis also had an assist in the Cougars’ 1-0 win over UNLV.
BYU head Coach Jennifer Rockwood was honored with her second MWC Coach of the Year Award. Coach Rockwood led the Cougars to their first regular-season championship in six years, and guided the team to an undefeated league season during which they outscored their opponents 15-1. Coach Rockwood’s previous MWC Coach of the Year honor came in 2000.
Larkin, Willis, senior defender Jessica Carter and freshman forward Lauren Anderson were named All-MWC First Team. The selection was Larkin’s fourth, Willis’ second, and the first for Carter and Anderson. Sophomore forward
Kassidy Christensen was named All-MWC Second Team.
The six awards is the most for the Cougars since 2003, when seven Cougars were honored.
BYU faces the winner of the match between No. 4 New Mexico and No. 5 UNLV at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday. The game will be televised live on the mtn. and a live stat feed will be available at the www.themwc.com.
BYU is the 2007 reigning MWC Tournament champion. The tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
Cougar fans can join the official Women's Soccer texting group by texting the words "WSOC" to the number 83043. Members of the group will receive reminders about game times, information about ticket discounts and other promotions.
2008 All-Mountain West Conference Women’s Soccer Team
Offensive Player of the Year: Katie Larkin, Sr., F, BYU
Defensive Player of the Year: Andrea Willis, Jr., D, BYU
Coach of the Year: Jennifer Rockwood, BYU
First Team
Katie Larkin, Sr., Forward/Midfielder, BYU***
Andrea Willis, Jr., Defender, BYU*
Jessica Carter, Sr., Defender, BYU
Lauren Anderson, Fr., Forward, BYU
Second Team
Kassidy Christensen, So., Forward, BYU
* Indicates repeat first-team selection
*** Indicates four-time first-team selection