2004 FERRIS WOMEN’S SOCCER AWARD WINNERS RECOGNIZED
Two Freshmen Capture Bulldogs' Top Player Awards
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| Freshman Kristie Smilanich was honored as FSU's Best Attacking Player Award recipient |
The Ferris State University women's soccer team held its 2004 postseason awards banquet Sunday (Nov. 21) at FSU's Wheeler Pavilion in Big Rapids, Mich.
Ferris State concluded the 2004 campaign with an 9-9-1 overall mark under second-year head coach Melissa Lalonde, which represented the program's second-best performance in its five-year history and included a fifth place 3-5 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) finish.
Freshman forward/midfielder Kristie Smilanich (Kalamazoo/Christian) received the squad’s Best Attacking Player Award after ranking second among the squad's scoring leaders with seven goals and 14 points in her initial season. Smilanich's seven goals this campaign represented the school's sixth-highest career goal scoring figure and is eighth among FSU's single-season leaders. The 5-6 Smilanich had two game-winning markers this season and twice had multiple goal game performances.
The Best Defensive Player Award was presented to freshman defender Ashley Lukes (Kokomo, Ind./Western), who started all 19 contests this season. Lukes, whose older sister Gayle received the same award following her senior season in 2003, compiled two shots this campaign. She was the only Bulldog freshman and among five FSU players to crack the starting lineup in all 19 outings this season.
Sophomore midfielder Lyndsay Sleek (Royal Oak/Kimball) garnered team Most Improved Player Award recognition. The 5-6 Sleek posted two assists and seven shot attempts in 19 contests this season after scoring a single goal in five appearances during the 2003 campaign. In addition, she started all 19 contests this year.
The Bulldogs, who won six of their final 11 outings this campaign, lose only senior defender Lauren Hogan (Ann Arbor/Huron) from this season's squad. Ferris' 91 total points this campaign represented the school's second-best single season total behind its school record 116 points from the 2003 season. FSU's 32 goals this campaign is listed third among the team single-season leaders while the Bulldogs' 27 assists is second on the seasonal list.
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