7 December 2001
CONTACT: Head coach David Barrett, (309) 556-3343
 
 

Bernard "MVP" for IWU Women's Soccer

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — For the second straight season, Ann Bernard has been named "Most Valuable Player" for the Illinois Wesleyan University women’s soccer team.

Bernard, a sophomore midfielder from St. Charles (HS), scored five goals and added seven assists in 2001. She repeated as a first team all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selection and her career totals of 14 goals and 13 assists place her in eighth place all-time on the Titan scoring list.

"Ann has emerged as one of the best players and more complete players in the CCIW," said first-year coach David Barrett, whose team finished 14-4. "Opposing coaches routinely single her out as the player to stop on the Titans. She works hard on both ends of the field and is the engine which drives our team."

Bernard and junior goalkeeper Alicia Heeger (Manchester, Mo., Lafayette HS) were chosen to serve as co-captains for the 2002 team.

Heeger had a 1.02 goals-against average and recorded 7 1/2 shutouts.

"I have great faith in both Alicia and Ann to be excellent leaders of their team," said Coach Barrett. "We'll be a more veteran team next year with 14 players returning, but it will be important to integrate the freshmen into the mix also. I'm confident they will do a fine job keeping this group on course for success."

Sophomore midfielder Jessica Sasveld (Naperville, North HS) was chosen as the team's "Most Improved Player."

"Jessica was very deserving as she clearly stood out to her peers as the member of the team whose efforts during the year helped her become a better soccer player," said Barrett.

Seniors Julie Brooks (Belleville, West HS) and April App (Elburn, Kaneland HS) and sophomore Christine Reed (Crystal Lake, South HS) were the Titans' offensive leaders in 2001.

Brooks, who was a second team all-CCIW selection, scored eight goals and added five assists to raise her career totals to 50 goals and 17 assists. She finished her career as IWU's second leading scorer with 117 points and second in goals scored.

App, also a second team all-CCIW player, scored nine goals with two assists this season and ended her career as IWU's third all-time leading scorer with 80 points.

Reed led IWU in scoring, netting 13 goals with six assists. She had three-goal games vs. Marian and Wisconsin-Whitewater and scored two goals in three other games. After two seasons, Reed is fifth all-time in scoring at IWU and has 22 career assists, three shy of breaking the mark of 24 by Kaye Galyean (1994-97).

Barrett awarded 18 letters to women's soccer players, including 14 to players who will return next season. The letterwinners are, with hometowns and high schools:

SENIORS - April App (Elburn, Kaneland HS), Amy Attivissimo (Oak Lawn HS), Julie Brooks (Belleville, West HS), L.J. Hachmeister (Elmhurst, York HS).

JUNIOR - Alicia Heeger (Manchester, Mo., Lafayette HS).

SOPHOMORES - Ann Bernard (St. Charles HS), Lauren Boegen (Waukegan, Warren HS), Christine Reed (Crystal Lake, South HS), Kristin Riek (Delafield, Wis., Kettle Moraine HS), Jessica Sasveld (Naperville, North HS), Katie Taylor (Hinsale Central HS).

FRESHMEN - Zaya Fusco (Lake Bluff, Freeport HS), Alissa Hunt (Glen Ellyn, Glenbard West HS), Marisa Johnson (Wayne, St. Charles East HS), April Naylor (Geneva HS), Jessica Pyzyna (Arlington Heights, Hersey HS), Stephanie Travers (Maryville, Rosati-Kain HS), Kristin Wood (Sycamore HS).