March 2, 2011
SPOKANE, Wash. - The Gonzaga University women's soccer team celebrated its 2010 season at its annual Team Celebration Dinner held at Anthony's Restaurant this past Sunday. Bulldogs second-year head coach Amy Edwards recognized the team award winners as voted by the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs three captains, Catherine Cullen, Sheridan Jones and Elle Sweeney, along with Cassie Geerdts each took home the team awards.
Cullen was named the team's Most Valuable Player having never missed a start this past season, the second consecutive time in her career. The senior midfielder from Sidney, British Columbia, scored two goals and notched two assists en route to earning All-West Coast Conference honorable mention accolades. Cullen was also selected WCC Player of the Week on Sept. 27 for her performance against then-22nd-ranked University of Southern California and Portland State University.
The team's Offensive Player of the Year award went to Jones. The senior midfielder from Hillsboro, Ore., exits her illustrious Gonzaga career earning All-WCC second team honors for the second straight season. With five assists this past season Jones elevated to second in the program's all-time career assist leaders with 14 and was one shy from tying Sara Streufert (1997-2000) for the record.
Sweeney took home the team's Defensive Player of the Year honor after achieving her second consecutive WCC honorable mention. The native of Highlands Ranch, Colo., emerged as one of the conference's top defenders, helping the Zags post four shutouts. The redshirt junior defender scored her first career goal against Loyola Marymount University and notched a pair of assists.
Geerdts was named Newcomer of the Year after emerging as one of the WCC's dangerous forwards in the freshman class. From coming off the bench in the season-opener to becoming a starter the rest of the season Geerdts received recognition as an All-WCC honorable mention selection. The Parker, Colo., native led the Zags in assists (6) and was second in points (13) and goals (3), including the match-winners against Portland State and Eastern Washington University.
In addition to recognizing the support staff for their efforts, the Bulldogs bid farewell to its departing seniors, Cullen, Jones, Sweeney, Lindsay Hood, Lauren Ames, Ashley Riley and Ashley Railey, with scrapbooks, match jerseys and other keepsake items.
"Sunday evening was a fun and entertaining celebration of the 2010 season," Edwards said. "It was a great night for our current players to honor and thank the departing seniors for all they have given to this program and the legacy they have left behind as well as looking back on the many highlights of a successful season. We are very thankful to have the ability to host this Annual Celebration Dinner at such a fantastic restaurant as Anthony's, where we can enjoy a delicious meal and wonderful atmosphere."
The Bulldogs open their 2011 spring schedule March 26 in Pullman, Wash., in a doubleheader against the University of Idaho at 11 a.m. followed by Washington State University at 1 p.m.
