Heather Forsyth, a defender on the Illinois State soccer team, received a Soccer Buzz Award on Thursday as she was named to the All Great Lakes Region Second Team.
Forsyth, a native of Burlington, Ontario, helped lead her team to its most successful season ever and its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Despite being a defender, Forsyth, who scored three game-winning goals, tied for the No. 3 spot in points scored in 2003. She also helped the Birds to a No. 10 ranking in the NCAA in shutout percentage (0.60) and a No. 18 ranking in goals against average (0.716). 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.
Her accolades in 2003 include being named Valley Player of the Year and earning Valley All-Tournament Team honors. Forsyth was also named Valley Defensive Player of the Week on September 9 and Vidette/Alamo II Athlete of the Week on October 13. The All-Valley first team pick also earned Illinois State Defensive Player of the Year honors at the end of the season banquet. Illinois State (11-6-3) finished its season with a 3-1 loss to Kansas in the first round of the NCAA College Cup.
Only one other player from a Missouri Valley Conference school earned All-Region honors. Sophomore midfielder Bailey Walkup from Drake earned third team accolades.
Fifty one schools comprising the Great Lakes Region were eligible for Buzz awards, presented since 1996. The awards were decided by a vote open to all Division I head coaches and Soccer Buzz staff.
