TORONTO LADY LYNX MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2009 Lynx and Lady Lynx Player Awards Announced
Rustad and Webb named MVP’s
WEDNESDAY JULY 22, 2009(TORONTO, CANADA) The Toronto Lynx Soccer Club wrapped up their 2009 United Soccer Leagues season this afternoon by announcing today the winners of the annual Toronto Lynx and Lady Lynx Player Awards. Defender Clare Rustad was named Most Valuable Player of the Lady Lynx as selected by the media, while Jordan Webb earned Most Valuable Player honours for the Lynx along with the Rookie of the Year award.
Rustad joined the Lady Lynx prior to the season after competing for Canada in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the Vancouver Whitecaps previously, and instantly provided stability and veteran leadership to the young Lady Lynx squad. She also helped provide an offensive spark from her central defensive position, scoring twice and adding three assists on the season.
Rookie Bryanna McCarthy was named Best Offensive Player for the Lady Lynx. The Ajax native tied for the team lead in scoring with 10 points, and second in goals (4), while missing five games attending the National U20 Camp in Boulder, Colorado. She twice scored in the first minute of matches, and once in the third minute, allowing the Lady Lynx to open up quick leads on their opponents.
Veteran Allysha Chapman claimed the Lady Lynx’ Best Defensive Player award for her consistent defensive play and leadership in the back line. The Courtice resident missed only seven minutes of play in the entire season, and earned a reputation as one of the toughest players in the entire W-League.
The Lady Lynx Rookie of the Year Award went to Victoria Frederick. The Alabamian started off the season with a bang, notching a hat-trick in the team’s season opening win in Rochester, and playing every minute of every game on the season. Her University of Alabama teammate Justine Bernier was voted Fan Favourite by Lady Lynx fans. The veteran goalkeeper, who won the award previously in 2007 before heading to Vancouver last season to train with the U20 National Team and play for the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Oakville native was also the team’s Rookie of the Year in 2006 along with being named W-League Goalkeeper of the Year that season.
Webb’s breakout season for the Lynx was one of the highlights of a long season for the Lynx, who struggled to a 2-13-1 record in 2009 after reaching the PDL playoffs in 2008. The rookie forward, who was MVP of the Toronto Lynx Juniors U20 team in 2008, led the team in scoring (16 points), goals (5) and assists (6), and is a testament to the strength of the Toronto Lynx Academy program, which saw a number of players graduate from the Juniors into the senior PDL squad in 2009.
Jean Tshimpaka was named Best Offensive Player for the Lynx for the second year in a row. The sophomore forward only found the net once on the campaign in addition to one assist, but created difficulty for opposing defenses throughout the season and created much-needed space for his teammates while missing nearly half the games due to injury.
Captain Taylor McNamara earned Best Defensive Player in his third season with the PDL squad. The Mississauga native calmly led his youthful teammates into battle each and every game, and led by example on and off the field. Fellow veteran Sergio DeLuca was voted Fan Favourite of 2009 by Lynx supporters. The Woodbridge native dazzled fans with his electric play in the midfield, and his grit and tenacity showcased each and every moment on the pitch.
CAMERON NAMED TO W-LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK
Forward Tiffany Cameron returned from the National U20 camp in Boulder and back into the Lady Lynx line-up with a bang on Saturday, scoring two brilliant second-half goals to lead Toronto to a 2-0 upset of the Quebec City Amiral. The rookie was rewarded for her effort by being named to the W-League Team of the Week for the final week of the regular season. She is the fifth Lady Lynx named to the Team of the Week this season, joining Victoria Frederick (Week 2), Alyscha Mottershead (Week 4) and Bryanna McCarthy (Week 6), Clare Rustad (Week 7, Player of the Week) and Nicole Mailloux (Week 9).
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
ROB IRWIN
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
rirwin@lynxsoccer.com
416-251-4625 x 23
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