Feb. 4, 2003

NEW YORK - Soccer Buzz Magazine, the exclusive women's collegiate soccer web publication, announced its annual awards for women's Division I soccer on February 4, with five Broncos receiving recognition.

Players and coaches from 285 Division I programs were eligible in voting open to all Division I head coaches and Soccer Buzz staff. Portland's first-ever NCAA title continues to bring more awards for the Pilots as sophomore Christine Sinclair was selected the National Player of the Year and head coach Clive Charles earned National Coach of the Year. North Carolina received the other top national award as its latest scoring weapon, Lindsay Tarpley, was tabbed National Freshman of the Year. The Soccer Buzz honors, presented since 1996, mark the second consecutive year that Portland and UNC have each received at least one of the major awards from the publication.

Sinclair finished first in balloting, just ahead of last year's winner, Aly Wagner of Santa Clara. The two WCC stars far out-polled every other player as North Carolina's junior defender, Catherine Reddick, finished a very distant third.

Wagner and Devvyn Hawkins, both first round draft picks by WUSA teams, earned All-America honors by Soccer Buzz, with Wagner being placed on the first team and Hawkins on the second.

The top freshmen in the nation also were announced and defender/midfielder Micaela Esquivel represents the Broncos' on Soccer Buzz's first team.

Soccer Buzz also announced All-Regional teams, All-Freshmen teams, regional Player, Freshman and Coach of the Year for each of six regions. Wagner and Hawkins were named to the All-West First Team, sophomore Leslie Osborne was named to the second team, and junior Veronica Zepeda was recognized with a third team selection. Esquivel made the All-West Freshman team as well.

The entire list of 2002 honors can be found at www.soccerbuzz.com.