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San Diego Spirit Team Awards Announced

August 14, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


SAN DIEGO - Forward Julie Fleeting was named the Spirit's Most Valuable player by her fellow teammates at the team's annual year-end luncheon. "Air Scotland" was also awarded the Golden Boot for leading the team in scoring with 26 points (11 goals and four assists). Spirit players and staff members voted on four awards - Most Valuable Player, Defender of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Most Inspirational Player of the Year.

Fleeting is the third player in club history to receive dual awards. Last season Joy Fawcett received the MVP and Defender of the Year honors, while in 2001, Shannon MacMillan received both the MVP and Playmaker of the Year awards. The Defender of the Year award was bestowed upon Fawcett, the USA's # 1 soccer mom, for her tremendous leadership and control of the back line throughout the season. Fawcett led a defense which finished second in the WUSA in goals allowed (26); while also setting a team record for fewest goals allowed in a season.

Julie Foudy was voted as the club's Most Inspirational Player by her teammates for her remarkable leadership on and off the field. The media that covered the Spirit during the season voted on one award, that being the Goal of the Year, which was won by Christine Latham, for her world-class half volley from 20 yards out that soared over Freedom goalkeeper Siri Mullinix on July 16. Latham, who finished second on the team in scoring, also received the Newcomer of the Year for her 15-point performance this season; eleven of the Spirit's 20 players were newcomers in 2003. The Canadian international became the fourth Spirit player to win two team awards in the same season.

The "Fan Favorite" Award will be determined by an online vote by the Spirit faithful beginning next week at sandiegospirit.com.

The WUSA also announced the nominees for the League's end-of-season awards.

Four Spirit players have been nominated. Fawcett is nominated for Defender of The Year, Aly Wagner and Latham are up for Rookie of The Year, while Latham's strike against Washington is also nominated for Goal of The Year honors. Jaime Pagilarulo is up for the Humanitarian of The Year award. The winners of each category will be announced daily between August 19-21, prior to Founders Cup III in San Diego.

SAN DIEGO SPIRIT 2003 SEASON AWARD WINNERS
Most Valuable Player (team & staff) - Julie Fleeting
Defender of The Year (team & staff) - Joy Fawcett
Newcomer of The Year (team & staff)- Christine Latham
Most Inspirational (team & staff) -Julie Foudy
Goal of the Year (media) - Christine Latham vs. Washington on July 16
Golden Boot Award (stats) - Julie Fleeting



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 14, 2003


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