Texas Tech University Athletics
Team Awards Handed Out at Soccer Awards Banquet
May 12, 2010 | Women's Soccer
May 12, 2010
LUBBOCK, Texas - After posting the school's first .500 record in over a decade, the Texas Tech soccer program had much to celebrate at its recent annual awards banquet held in the West Stadium Building of Jones AT&T Stadium.
"It was a nice evening for the girls and their parents," head coach Tom Stone said. "Texas Tech event managers did a fantastic job of creating the perfect environment for us. We were able to reflect on the 2009 season, honor our seniors and also look forward to the bright future of the program."
In addition to honoring the team's nine Academic All-Big 12 recipients, those selected to a postseason award, and the program's seven seniors, a few individual honors were presented as well. They are as followed:
Team MVP: Taylor Lytle
In only her second season, Lytle pratically rewrote the school's record book as she snapped the single-game assist mark early in the season against TCU and eventually broke the single-season mark later in the year. Only Tech's second All-Big 12 first team selection all-time, Lytle will enter her junior season among the top 10 all-time in almost every offensive category, including points, assists, and shot attempts.
Offensive MVP: Dawn Ward
Like Lytle, Ward recovered from knee surgery that caused her to redshirt her first year on campus to lead the Red Raiders in points and goals during the 2009 campaign. The redshirt freshman from Midland finished with 11 goals and 27 points on her way to being honored on the All-Big 12 Newcomer team.
Defensive MVP: Casey McCall
The team's leader in total minutes played, McCall led a young backline that mainly consisted of two freshmen, a senior, and sometimes a freshman goalkeeper. McCall scored her one goal of the year against Oklahoma and almost added another against the Sooners, while also posting an assist earlier in the year against Iowa State.
Rookie of the Year: Tiffini Smith
Smith successfully made the transition from high school to college early in the season as the Fort Worth native started in 19 of 20 matches for the Red Raiders. She connected on two goals and added two assists en route to earning a selection to the All-Big 12 Newcomer team.
Most Improved Player: Haley Fowler
One of the most hardworking players on the team, Fowler spent extra time before and after practice to adjust to the college game, and the additional hours paid off as Fowler started the last 11 matches of the season. She scored her lone goal of the year against Texas.
Each individual award honoree will be on the field for the Red Raiders when they kickoff the 2010 season with fall camp in August. Tech opens the season Aug. 20 against TCU at the John Walker Soccer Complex.
