Six Jayhawks Honored by Big 12 Conference

Oct. 30, 2006

DALLAS –

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Four members of the University of Kansas soccer team were selected All-Big 12, while two more were named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer team Monday. KU senior Holly Gault, and sophomores Jessica Bush, Missy Geha and Jenny Murtaugh were named to the All-Big 12 Second Team, while freshmen Monica Dolinsky and Estelle Johnson earned Big 12 All-Newcomer Team honors. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

This marks the first time since 2004 that the team has had as many as four all-conference selections.

Gault, a senior from Spring Hill, Kan., earned her fourth all-conference selection. The 5-foot-6 senior moved from defender to forward this season and scored a career-high five goals, and matched a career-high with six assists this season. Gault ranks third in KU history in career assists and fifth in career points.

Bush, a sophomore from Blue Springs, Mo., earned All-Big 12 honors for the first time after being named to the All-Newcomer team last season. This season, Bush led the team with seven goals, including six against Big 12 opponents. The 5-foot-2 sophomore scored in four straight matches and tallied the game-winning goal in three-consecutive contests during the month of October.

Geha, a sophomore from Overland Park, Kan., was also a 2005 All-Big 12 Newcomer team pick. The 5-foot-6 midfielder tallied a pair of assists this season, while starting all 18 contests. During her career, Geha has started all 38 of KU’s matches, tying her with teammate Murtaugh for the second-longest active streak.

Murtaugh, a sophomore from Littleton, Colo., garnered all-conference honors for the first time in her career. The 5-foot-5 defender started every match in the defensive backfield and helped the team shut out six Big 12 foes and post an 0.99 goals against average. Murtaugh has started 38 consecutive matches, tying her with Geha for the second-longest active streak.

Dolinsky, a freshman from Carmel, Ind., earned Big 12 All-Newcomer team honors by scoring a team-high 17 points this season. The 5-foot-5 forward/midfielder tallied six goals and five assists in her first year in the Crimson and Blue. She became the seventh Jayhawk to enjoy a six-point match with two goals and two assists at Missouri on Oct. 15.

Johnson, a freshman from Fort Collins, Colo., was named to the all-newcomer team after appearing in all 18 matches and making 17 starts as a freshman. The 5-foot-6 defender helped the team shut out six Big 12 teams and post an 0.99 goals against average. Johnson was named to the Cal Invitational All-Tournament team during the second weekend of the season.

Nebraska senior Brittany Timko and Oklahoma State junior Yolanda Odenyo were honored as co-Big 12 Players of the Year, while Colorado freshman Nikki Marshall earned Rookie of the Year accolades. OSU head coach Karen Hancock was picked as the league’s Coach of the Year.

KU (11-7) will face Colorado on Wednesday in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Championship at 1:30 p.m. in San Antonio, Texas.

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Sophomore Jessica Bush

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Sophomore Missy Geha

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Sophomore Jenny Murtaugh

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Freshman Monica Dolinsky

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Freshman Estelle Johnson