A-League award winners announced

by USL Press Release
September 19, 2001 - USL First Division (USL-1)

USL Press Release

TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues announced its statistical award winners for the 2001 A-League season today.

Scoring & Goal Scoring Champion: Paul Conway (Charleston Battery) – 47 points, 22 goals

Last year, Paul Conway had to share these awards with several other players. This year, Conway led the scoring title race from the opening whistle, tallying in each of the Battery's first seven games. He slowly distanced himself from any challengers as the season progressed. Even a season-finale four-goal performance from Dustin Swinehart only managed to close the gap from second to eight points.

The 31-year-old forward not only led the league in scoring for the second consecutive season, but the Battery for the third straight year. He finished with 42 points last season with Milwaukee's Digital Takawira and 17 goals, tied with Seattle's Greg Howes and Minnesota's John Menyongar. In 1999, he led the club with 33 points and 14 goals.

The Portland, Oregon native joined Charleston in 1998 after playing for Carlisle United (1993-97) and Northampton Town (1997) in England. Conway saw action in 107 games for Carlisle, scoring 30 goals.

Assist Leader: Jaymi Bailey (Nashville Metros) – 11 assists

Jaymi Bailey, with 11 assists, was one of the driving forces behind Nashville's increased competitive role in the league this year, helping Jeff Houser and Jakob Fenger finish tied for third on the A-League goals table.

The former Hampton Roads Mariners midfielder was one of three players on the squad to log over 2,000 minutes of action this season and was named to the A-League Team of the Week three times.

GAA Champion: Jon Busch (Hershey Wildcats) – 0.60 GAA

Last year's departure of the Hampton Roads Mariners, who return in 2002, may have been the best thing for Jon Busch's career. His first two seasons in Virginia Beach were solid outings with a 1.38 goals-against average over the course of 52 games. Last season, he started to garner attention, earning several call-ups and finishing with a 0.94 GAA for 14 games, coming up short of the minutes played minimum for a third-place spot among the league leaders table.

In 2001, the 5-10 Queens, New York native found a home in Hershey, playing in all but one game for the Wildcats. Busch posted 13 shutouts en route to the A-League's best goals-against average of 0.60, well ahead of Rochester's Scott Vallow at 0.97. His outstanding performance is arguably what led the Wildcats to the Northern Conference title in a tight race with the Raging Rhinos.

The Goalkeeper of the Year and All-League Teams will be announced Tuesday, Sept. 25.

USL First Division Stories from September 19, 2001

• A-League award winners announced - OSC Original by USL Press Release

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