Taken from USLSoccer.com
United Soccer Leagues W-League had a total of 16 women from 11 different clubs named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American lists following its publication on Wednesday, December 19. The prestigious list honors the top collegiate players selected by position following the conclusion of the fall 2007 season.
The W-league representation was spearheaded by the Northern Virginia Majestics, who had three players named to the lists including: Annie Lowery and Kimmy Germain from James Madison and Ashley Banks of West Virginia.
James Madison women’s soccer players Lowry and Germain mark the first time since 1996 that a JMU player has been named to the All-America team. Lowry, a senior forward, was named to the second team. Germain, a junior midfielder, was selected to the third team.
Lowry earlier became the first JMU player to win all-region honors three times. She led the Dukes in goals with 10 (5 of those being game-winners) and finished her career ranked sixth all-time at JMU in goals (28) and points (74).
Germain, a three-year starter in midfield, completed her junior season tied seventh on JMU’s career assist list with 18.
West Virginia’s Ashley Banks, a senior forward/midfielder, was named to the All-American third team.
Banks, an Annandale, Va., native, is a finalist for the 2007 Soccer Buzz National Player of the Year and a semifinalist for the prestigious Herman Trophy. The forward’s 15 goals and 38 points this season are the most-ever by a senior women’s soccer player. Banks ranks in the top five all-time at WVU in three major offensive categories – 34 goals (3rd), 26 assists (3rd) and 94 points (3rd). She is one of two players in WVU history to record 30 goals and 25 assists in her career, joining All-American Katie Barnes (1998-2001).
There was a three-way tie among W-League teams for second place in All-American nominations. Jersey Sky Blue (Nikki Krzysik of Virginia and Tobin Heath of UNC) the Cleveland Internationals (Danesha Adams of UCLA and Heloisa Oliveira of Lincoln Memorial) and West Michigan Firewomen (Susan Christenson of Grand Valley State and Mindi Harkema of Trinity Christian) each had two players selected.
“I am very proud of the strong W-League representation on the All-American teams,” said USL W-League Director Kristin Lettiere. “Our teams work very hard to attract the highest level players in the country and this shows that the hard work is paying off for the players, their schools and their W-League teams.”
