Feb. 3, 2004
NEW YORK - Santa Clara University women's soccer team member Leslie Osborne leads a host of Broncos named to the Soccer Buzz West Region teams. Osborne was named a first-team member, while second-team honors were earned by Jessica Ballweg, Julie Ryder and Lauren Zealear. Additionally, five Broncos were named to the magazine's West Region All-Freshman team.
A junior from Menomonee Falls, Wis., Osborne was a leader for the Broncos this past season and has already been honored with Soccer America MVP and CSTV All-America honors. Additionally, she was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year, marking the sixth time in the last seven years that the honor has been received by a Bronco. She was also named to All-WCC first team, becoming only the 10th player in the league to earn the honor three times.
Ryder and Zealear were joined on the All-Freshman team by Tiffany Roberts, Marian Dalmy and Tina Estrada. This Bronco freshman class was ranked tops in the country entering the season by Soccer Buzz. The class combined for 19 of the team's 55 goals, while also taking responsibility for 11 assists, six shut outs and 37 saves.
UCLA defender Nandi Pryce garnered West Region Player of the Year honors, while Portland's Stephanie Lopez became the third consecutive Pilot to be named the West Region Freshman of the Year. Utah head coach Rich Manning, who is a former Bronco assistant under Jerry Smith, was named the West Region Coach of the Year.
Forty-six schools comprising the West Region were eligible for Buzz awards, presented since 1996. Awards were decided by a vote open to all Division 1 Head Coaches and Soccer Buzz staff.
A complete listing can be found at SoccerBuzz.com.