CHICAGO – One of the most decorated athletes in Santa Clara history, Julie Ertz (Johnston) added another award to her mantle Wednesday when she was named 2017 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year with 51.6-percent of the votes.
Ertz had her breakout at center back for the U.S. at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup but started playing defensive midfielder last summer at the Tournament of Nations. After she made the switch, the U.S. went 7-0-1 over its final eight games.
She scored six goals in 2017, including a brace against New Zealand, to finish second on the team in scoring. She now has 14 goals as a member of the U.S. team.
Congratulations Julie Ertz! https://t.co/BCbJmogjoD
— Jerry Smith (@SCUJerrySmith) December 20, 2017
"I want to give a big thanks to everyone who voted," Ertz said. "This was a really unique year for me with a lot of different challenges, but it means so much to have the support of my husband, my family, my coaches and my teammates. I'm honored and thankful from the bottom of my heart and I'm really looking forward to next year and as we have some big goals to accomplish."
Ertz also won Young Female Player of the Year in 2012 when she captained the U.S. to the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Title and won the Bronze Ball as the third-best player in the tournament. She is just the third player to win both awards and her five years between awards is the shortest time for any player.
During her time as a Bronco, Ertz was a three-time First Team All-American and the 2013 West Coast Conference Player of the Year.
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