Melissa Colthrust, a senior on the Illinois State womens soccer team, was named the 2002 Defensive Player of the Year, voted on by the Missouri Valley Conference coaches. In addition, the Redbirds had three players named to the All-Valley First Team, one to the Second Team, two Honorable Mentions and one All-Freshman selection.
Colthrust, a native of Mississauga, Ontario, anchored the Redbird defense that posted the lowest goals-against average in the league (0.75) and included eight shutouts. The Illinois State defense was also rankd as high as No. 10 in NCAA Division I womens soccer for goals against average and finished the regular season ranked No. 13.
Senior Annie Wayland, a St. Petersburg, Mo. native and Illinois State forward, became the third player in league history to be named to the All-Valley First Team for four consecutive campaigns. She was the 2001 Player of the Year and 1999 Freshman of the Year.
Other All-Valley Honors went to First Team picks Colthrust and junior defender Tiffany DeClark of Buffalo Grove, Ill. The Second Team selection for the Redbirds was sophomore midfielder Robyn Brady from London, Ontario. Goalkeeper Allison Farrington of Libertyville, Ill., and defender Heather Forsyth of Burlington, Ontario received Honorable Mentions.
Freshman Joyce Kleinheinz, a native of Libertyville, Ill., was the lone Redbird to be named to the All-Valley Freshman Team.
Creightons Jaime Thompson became the first goalkeeper to be named the leagues Most Valuable Player and Drakes Andrea Schmitz earned Freshman of the Year honors. Creighton head coach, Bruce Erickson, was named Valley Coach of the Year.
