WNY Flash Announce 2014 Team Awards
August 29, 2014 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
ELMA, N.Y. ( Friday, August 29, 2014 ) - The Western New York Flash has announced its 2014 team awards with Carli Lloyd, Brittany Taylor and Samantha Kerr earning honors. These awards were voted on by media that cover the team, team officials and Flash players.
Lloyd, 32, was named the club's Most Valuable Player for the 2014 campaign. The U.S. Women's National team midfielder ended the year with 21 points in 19 appearances, scoring eight goals and adding five assists. After a two-goal performance against Boston on June 27th, Lloyd was named the NWSL's Week 12 Player of the Week. It was the second time Lloyd earned the honor in her two-season career with the Flash.
Throughout the year, Lloyd was an integral part of the Flash midfield and wore the captain's armband during a number of the team's matches. A native of Delran, N.J., Lloyd missed five games for the Flash during 2014 but started and featured in every minute of her 19 appearances. Playing in the two-way position, Lloyd led the Flash in both shots and shots on goal, with 61 and 33, respectively.
"Carli is a true professional on and off the field and, for me, one of the most dangerous goal scoring midfielders in the world," said Flash general manager and head coach Aaran Lines. "To see her add five assists to her tally has been very satisfying because this was an area we wanted to improve this season. Last year she had 10 goals, which was a great accomplishment, but she didn't have any assists so I think her contributions this season were great to see."
Lloyd also garnered postseason accolades from the league, named to the 2014 NWSL Second XI on Friday afternoon.
The only player on the field for all 2,160 minutes, Taylor has been named the Flash's 2014 Defensive Player of the Year. In her second season at center back, Taylor proved again to be a stalwart for the back line, directing the defense and serving as the team's captain on multiple occasions. Despite being a defender, Taylor also contributed on the offensive half, scoring two goals and assisting on one.
"Brittany was one of two returning players on our back line this season and her leadership was very important to our defense," Lines said. "After a strong first season with us last year, Brittany continues to establish herself as one of the top center backs in the NWSL."
Kerr, a 20-year old Australian forward, earned the team's Golden Boot Award after finishing the season with a club-high nine goals. Kerr's total was three more than that of 2014 when she finished with six goals and five assists. This year Kerr totaled four helpers and, after a five-point performance in a 5-0 win at Portland, was named Week 9 NWSL Player of the Week.
"Sam had a very good season for us. She improved her productivity, she showed very good progress in her development and showed she has wonderful potential," Lines said of the Matilda. "Sam's only 20 years old and in her second year in the NWSL, the best league in the world. She's a wonderful talent, still with room to grow and become even better."
National Women's Soccer League Stories from August 29, 2014
- Reign FC Announces 2014 Team Awards - Seattle Reign FC
- Seattle Reign FC Hopes Hard Work this Season Pays off in 2014 NWSL Championship - NWSL
- WNY Flash Announce 2014 Team Awards - Western New York Flash
- : Boston Breakers Announce 2014 Team Awards - Boston Breakers
- Flash Midfielder Carli Lloyd Named to NWSL Second XI - Western New York Flash
- National Women's Soccer League Announces 2014 Best XI - NWSL
- Thorns FC Midfielder Vero Boquete Named to NWSL Best XI - Portland Thorns FC
- FC Kansas City to Face Seattle for NWSL Championship - FC Kansas City
- Flash Assistant Coach Pedro Losa Named Arsenal Ladies Head Coach - Western New York Flash
- Three Chicago Red Stars Named to U.S. Women's National Team Training Camp Roster - Chicago Stars FC
- Lloyd, Wambach Head to Rochester with USWNT - Western New York Flash
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
