Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Soccer Announces 2001 Team Awards
12/19/2001 7:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Dec. 19, 2001
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell University women's soccer team announced the winners of its 2001 team awards at the Bucknell Women's Soccer Banquet, held on Saturday, Dec. 8.
The winners, as voted by teammates and coaches, were junior Caralyn Desautels, sophomore Abbey Seaboyer, junior Kate Cramer, freshman Jill Smith, freshman Ashley Dincher and sophomore Savannah Rennels.
Also announced at the banquet were the captains for the 2002 season. Junior Tara Utchel, junior Lauren Schwarz and Seaboyer were selected by their teammates and coaches to serve as tri-captains next year.
Desautels won the team's Ciccone Friends of Bucknell Soccer award. It was named for Mark Ciccone, the father of Talia Ciccone '00, in recognition of his extraordinary support and dedication to the Bucknell women's soccer program. Desautels was a member of the team in 1999 and 2000, but a severe ankle injury forced her off the team this season.
Seaboyer was the recipient of both the Gibbons-Crane award and the Defensive Player of the Year award. The Gibbons-Crane award was named in honor of former players, Joanne Crane and Lisa Gibbons '95, in recognition of their high standard of character, commitment, determination, integrity, skill and work ethic required to be a "complete soccer player." Seaboyer started all 19 matches at sweeper for the Bison in 2001, and was a key component of the team's defense that allowed over two goals in just two matches all season.
Cramer picked up the team's Scholar-Athlete award. This award recognizes the true spirit of the individual who, through perseverance, diligence, and flexibility excels in both academics and athletics. One of the team's top defenders, Cramer played in 18 of the team's 19 matches this season and appeared in the starting lineup eight times, including the team's last five matches. She is a chemical engineering major with a 2.94 GPA.
Smith came away with the Most Improved Player award, which is presented to the player who demonstrates significant progress during the season. Smith appeared as a reserve at the defender position in three games during the year, including the team's NCAA first round match against Penn State.
Dincher was named as the team's Rookie of the Year. The first-year midfielder started the team's first 15 matches before her season was ended prematurely with a season-ending shoulder injury. She was also tabbed as the 2001 Patriot League Co-Rookie of the Year after posting two goals and one assists during the season.
Rennels won Bucknell's Offensive Player of the Year award. A First-Team All-Patriot League selection, she led both the Bison and the Patriot League with 0.67 goals per game. In addition, she was named as a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Third Team Mid-East Region All-American. Her 12 goals tied for the fourth-most ever in one season at Bucknell, and her 25 points tied for eighth on the school's single-season points list.
Utchel will serve as a team captain for the second year in row next year. She started 18 matches in 2001 and was named to the All-Patriot League Second Team. Her assist with nine seconds left in the Patriot League semi-final against American University led to the Bison's game-winning goal in a 2-1 win.
Schwarz and Seaboyer were named as a team captains for the first time at Bucknell. Schwarz started all 19 matches for the Bison, and tied for fourth on the team in scoring with six points on two goals and two assists. She also scored the game-winning goal in the Patriot League Championship match against Navy, as she drilled home a penalty kick 3:07 into overtime. In addition, she was honored as the Patriot League Championship tournament MVP.
The Bucknell University women's soccer team enjoyed its most successful season in the history of the program in 2001. The Bison won the Patriot League championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost just 3-1 to seventh-ranked Penn State. Bucknell finished the season 12-7, tying the school record for single-season victories.
