Three Jayhawk Soccer Players Selected as All-Americans

Three members of the University of Kansas women’s soccer team were selected as NSCAA/Adidas All-Americans on Friday after leading the Jayhawk soccer team to its most successful season in program history. Sophomore defender Holly Gault was selected to the first team, while senior goalkeeper Meghan Miller was named to the second team and, for the second season in a row, junior Caroline Smith was elected a third team performer.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

“It is a huge honor,” said head coach Mark Francis. “Last season, Caroline was selected to the third team and was our first player to ever receive the honor. This season, to get three players on the All-American team, is a reflection that other teams and coaches are beginning to recognize our team. It is a great reflection on our team and all three players — Holly, Meghan and Caroline who are very well-deserving.”

Gault, a sophomore from Spring Hill, Kan., anchored a young Jayhawk defense, which surrendered only 13 goals all season and finished ninth in the country with a team goals against average of 0.55. Gault finished fourth on the club with 13 points during the season, tallying four goals and five assists during the year, including a career-high two assists in the Big 12 Championship clinching match against Iowa State on Oct. 29.

“I was very shocked and surprised, but I was also very honored,” said Gault. “I think that it shows the direction that our team is heading and that we are beginning to elevate this program to a higher level. It is nice to see our team beginning to receive some national recognition.”

Miller, a senior goalkeeper from Seattle, Wash., finished her career by posting the best season by a goalkeeper in school history. Miller led the Big 12 in goals against average (0.57) and save percentage (.881), while finishing second in shutouts (12). She began the 2004 campaign with five straight shutouts and led the Jayhawk to a 0.56 shutouts per game average this season, best in school history and 12th in the country in 2004. Miller completed her career as KU’s all-time leader in shutouts, goals against average, games started and games played.

“It’s a great feeling,” Miller said. “I was totally surprised when coach told me. I never expected this to happen in my four years at KU. I’m very happy for both Holly and Caroline – they definitely deserve it. I am also happy for our program, that we are beginning to get some recognition.”

For the second consecutive season, Caroline Smith was selected to the NSCAA/adidas All-America third team. Smith, a junior from Edina, Minn., entered the season as the program’s all-time leading scorer, lead KU in scoring for the third consecutive season. Smith topped the Jayhawks in goals (11), assists (10) and points (32). During the season, Smith collected three or more points in six matches and set a school record with the least time elapsed between goals, when she tallied a pair of goals 48 seconds apart on Oct. 3 in 3-0 win over Baylor.

2004 NSCAA/adidas Women’s NSCAA Division I All-America Team

* Indicates repeat selection

First Team
G, Nicole Barnhart*, Jr., Stanford, Gilbertville, Pa.
D, Keeley Dowling**, Sr., Tennessee, Carmel, Ind.
D, Holly Gault, So., Kansas, Spring Hill, Kan.
D, Natalie Jacobs, Jr., Penn State, Centreville, Va.
M, Lori Chalupny*, Jr., North Carolina, St. Louis, Mo.
M, Lindsey Huie**, Jr., Portland, Laguna Woods, Calif.
M, Diana Matheson, Fr., Princeton, Oakville, Ontario
M, Leslie Osborn, Sr., Santa Clara, Menomonee Falls, Wis.
F, Esmeralda Negron*, Sr., Princeton, Harrington Park, N.J.
F, Heather O’Reilly*, So., North Carolina , East Brunswick, N.J.
F, Christine Sinclair*, Jr., Portland, Burnaby, Canada
F, Tiffany Weimer*, So., Penn State, North Haven, Conn.

Second Team
G, Meghan Miller, Sr., Kansas, Seattle, Wash.

D, Haley Hunt, Jr., Stanford, San Marino, Calif.
D, Melissa Miller*, So., Ohio State, Cincinnati, Ohio
D, Melissa Tancredi*, Sr., Notre Dame, Ancaster, Ontario
M, Lara Dickenmann, Fr., Ohio State, Kriens, Switzerland
M, Sarah Huffman, Jr., Virginia , Flower Mound, Texas
M, Jill Oakes, Jr., UCLA, West Hills, Calif.
F, Christina Frimpong, Sr., Washington , Vancouver, Wash.
F, Tara Hurless*, Sr., Illinois, Rockford, Ill.
F, Megan Kakadelas, Sr., Santa Clara, Carlsbad, Calif.
F, Katie Thorlakson, Jr., Notre Dame, Langley, British Columbia

Third Team
G, Erin McLeod, Jr., Penn State, Calgary, Alberta
D, Liza Barber, Sr., Harvard, Des Moines, Iowa
D, Ronda Brooks, So., Auburn, Marietta, Ga.
D, Jennifer Simonetti, Sr., Dayton, Copley, Ohio
M, Jennifer Buczkowski, So., Notre Dame, Elk Grove, Ill.
M, Fran Munnelly, Jr., Colorado, Arvada, Colo.
M, Brittany Timko, So., Nebraska, Coquitlam, British Columbia
F, Kristen Graczyk*, Sr., Connecticut, Corona, Calif.
F, Laura Kane, Sr., West Virginia , Pottstown, Pa.
F, Iris Mora*, Jr., UCLA, Cancun, Mexico
F, Caroline Smith*, Jr., Kansas , Edina, Minn.