Dec. 8, 2009
By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
A Quick Rundown of UCF's NSCAA Division I Awards
All-America Third Team and All-Central Region First Team - Sr. M Becca Thomas
-Thomas is the first UCF midfielder since Amy Jones in 1995 to be named an NSCAA All-American.
-Along with Aline Reis last year, UCF has now had an All-American in back-to-back years for the first time since 1987 (Michelle Akers, Amy Allmann, Jean Varas) and 1988 (Akers).
-UCF has had a total of 16 All-American selections since the program's inception in 1981.
All-Central Region First Team - Sr. D Nikki Moore
All-Central Region First Team - Sr. F Courtney Whidden
All-Central Region Second Team - So. GK Aline Reis
All-Central Region Coach of the Year - Amanda Cromwell (received the award Dec. 2)
Scholar All-America Second Team - Sr. M Becca Thomas
Scholar All-South Region First Team - Sr. M Becca Thomas
Scholar All-South Region Third Team - Jr. D Lauren Halbert
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - For the second-straight season, a member of the UCF women's soccer program was named a National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American as senior midfielder Becca Thomas (Burlington, Wash.) capped off her career with one of the highest honors in college soccer. Thomas became the first midfielder for the Knights to receive the accolade since Amy Jones in 1995.
"This is definitely a shock, but it's obviously very exciting and I'm honored to be an All-American," said Thomas. "With the amazing season we had and the way our team came together, I wouldn't have been able to win this award without my teammates so I give credit to all of them. I never really looked at individual goals, I just wanted to have fun and wanted to win."
An All-America Third Team pick, Thomas was the Knights' 16th NSCAA All-American selection since the program's first season in 1981. She joins a list of UCF alumni that includes four-time honoree Michelle Akers and UCF Athletics Hall of Fame member Amy Allmann.
Last year, goalkeeper Aline Reis (Campinas, Brazil) earned All-American status as a freshman. The Reis-Thomas duo marked the first time since 1987 (Akers, Amy Allmann, Jean Varas) and 1988 (Akers) that UCF had at least one All-American in back-to-back seasons.
Thomas also was selected to the NSCAA All-Central Region First Team, joining seniors Nikki Moore (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Courtney Whidden (Palm Harbor, Fla.) on the top squad. Meanwhile, Reis grabbed a spot on the All-Central Region Second Team, as the Knights tied with Oklahoma State and Memphis for the most players on the three regional teams.
It was the fifth time in UCF history that the Black and Gold had at least four players be named NSCAA all-region.
Under All-Central Region Coach of the Year Amanda Cromwell, the Knights went 17-5-1, won the Conference USA regular-season title and were ranked as high as No. 8 in the country. UCF was a No. 3 national seed in the NCAA Tournament as it made its 14th appearance in the dance, which is tied for 15th-most nationally.
Thomas was an important piece in the Knights' success. The C-USA Midfielder of the Year tallied six goals and eight assists for 20 points, collecting five game-winners. Thomas ranks fifth all-time at UCF with 198 shots and fourth with 29 assists.
Moore added to her impressive trophy case, racking up her third all-region award. During her career, the defender was an All-C-USA First Team member three times, while also being voted onto the C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2006.
One of the top forwards in UCF history, Whidden never received the credit she deserved until 2009 when she was given her first-career postseason awards (all-region and All-C-USA First Team). She led the Knights in her senior year with 11 goals and 29 points, and ranks sixth all-time with 33 goals and second with 13 game-winners.
For Reis, she posted better numbers than her All-American campaign in 2008. The Hermann Trophy Watch List and All-C-USA First Team selection notched seven shutouts, a 0.95 goals-against average and a .828 save percentage. Reis already sits in fifth in UCF history with 189 saves and sixth with a 1.12 GAA.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures, and become a follow of the Knights at Twitter.com.