Anna Maria's Women's Soccer Honored With NSCAA Sportsmanship Award

Paxton, MA- For the first time in team history, head coach Rebecca Kennedy and the 2011 Anna Maria Women's Soccer team has earned the prestigious National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Ethics/Sportsmanship Gold Award.

The Team Ethics/Sportsmanship Award recognizes teams that exhibit fair play, sporting behavior and adherence to the Laws of the Game, as reflected by the number of yellow caution cards or red rejection cards they are shown by referees throughout the season.

"I am proud of this award because it reflects the character of the women's soccer team and the positive gains the players have worked towards." quotes Coach Kennedy, "To be recognized with this national award is a great honor for our program and the Anna Maria community."

The AMCATS were one of just 13 teams in all of collegiate women's soccer, and the lone squad in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC), to receive the Gold Award, which is given to teams which do not receive any cards all season.

A total of 43 teams were awarded the Silver Award, which is given to teams that accumulate 1-5 yellow cards and no red cards. Sixteen squads earned the Bronze Award, which recognizes team with 6-10 yellow cards and no red cards.

Awards will be presented on Thursday, January 12 at the College Coaches Awards Reception as part of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Annual Convention in Kansas City, Mo.

Joining AMC as gold recipients were the following institutions:

Anderson University (IN)
Anna Maria College
Boston University
Bridgewater College (VA)
Bryn Mawr College
Delaware Valley College
Johns Hopkins University
Mount Holyoke College
Muskingum University
Southern Vermont University
University of Scranton
US Coast Guard Academy

 2011 NSCAA Team Ethics/Sportsmanship Award Winners