Illinois States Heather Forsyth was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year at the 2003 Valley Soccer Banquet on Thursday evening at the Westport Plaza Sheraton in St. Louis, Mo. It was just the second time that a Redbird soccer player had received Valley Player of the Year honors. Seven other Redbirds were also honored.
Forsyth, a defender from Burlington, Ontario, helped lead her team to a 10-5-2 overall record and a 6-1 record in the Valley this year. Even though Forsyth is a defender, she and three of her teammate are currently tied for the lead in points scored with six apiece. Her three goals were all game-winning. Forsyth also helped the Birds to a No. 12 ranking in the NCAA in shutout percentage (0.59) and a No. 18 ranking in goals against average (0.677). Shes part of a defense that held Valley opponents to just 44 shots and 17 shots on goal , just two of which resulted in scores.
Forysth was humble when asked about receiving the prestigious honor.
It was incredible, Forsyth said. I was shocked to hear my name but I was even happier for my teammates like when Allison (Farrington) got up there and Joyce (Kleinheinz), Tiff (DeClark), Chrystal (Johnston) and Robyn (Brady) and all the others. I was so happy for them and I was like oh well I still have two years left. Then they called my name last for the MVP. Its an honor considering this is only my second year playing. I went from honorable mention last year to this, so thats a big step and its great for our team.
Head coach Pete Kowall was excited for Forsyth.
I think people value Heathers ability to go forward and score a goal or to defend, Kowall said. Shes a gritty kid and shes a hard player. Its nice that people recognize that.
Other Redbirds honored included Allison Farrington, Jaclyn Rucinsky, Kanisha Campbell, Robyn Brady, Chrystal Johnston, Joyce Kleinheinz and Tiffany DeClark.
Farrington, a goalkeeper from Libertyville, Ill., was named to the All-Valley First Team after tallying eight shutouts this year and amassing an 8-2-2 record. Currently, shes ranked No. 7 in the NCAA in goals against average (0.476). The senior co-captain has only allowed six goals this season and just two to Valley foes. She received honorable mention recognition last year and was a member of the All-Tournament Team.
Rucinsky, a forward from Seattle, was named to the All-Freshman Team after scoring two goals for the Redbirds this season. Campbell, a defender from Brampton, Ontario, joins her on the All-Freshman squad after helping anchor ISUs nationally ranked defense.
I was really happy for Jackie and Kanisha because Jackie I would say is not quite playing at her level right now and I think Kanisha has done really well coming off the bench for us, Kowall said. A lot of the others are repeat people and Im happy for them too, but I was really happy about Jackie and Kanisha getting it.
Four Redbirds were named to the Second Team including Robyn Brady, Chrystal Johnston, Joyce Kleinheinz and Tiffany DeClark. Brady, a junior from London, Ontario, picked up her third straight All-Valley Second Team honor after leading the Redbirds in the midfield for the third straight season. Johnston, who has been named to the First Team two times in the past, earned Second Team honors for the second time. Each year the senior co-captain has played shes receive all-conference recognition. Johnston, a midfielder, hails from Milton, Ontario. Kleinheinz, a sophomore defender from Libertyville, Ill. who is also one of the Birds tied for the lead in points this year, was named to the All-Valley Second Team after receiving All-Valley Freshman Team accolades last season. DeClark, a defender from Buffalo Grove, Ill., was also named to the Second Team after being named to the All-Valley First Team last season as well as the All-Tournament Team. In her freshman season, she earned honorable mention accolades and was named to the All-Freshman Team.
