Date Posted: 11/2/2005

Macon, Ga. – Florida Atlantic’s Susanna Lehtinen earned Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year honors as the league office announced their annual postseason awards prior to the beginning of the 2005 Women’s Soccer Championship.

Lehtinen helped lead Florida Atlantic to an unbeaten season in conference play and the top-seed at the upcoming championship. The sophomore from Espoo, Finland led the Owls’ attack all season long, finishing with 10 goals and 10 assists to rank second in the conference in total points. Head coach Brian Dooley added his first Coach of the Year award after guiding Florida Atlantic to their third regular season title in the last four years.

A pair of Kennesaw State senior stalwarts shared Defensive Player of the Year honors as defender Katrina Hirsch and goalkeeper Jessica Marek finished tied among the coaches’ votes. The duo helped Kennesaw State to a second place showing in their first season as A-Sun members. The Owls posted 11 shutouts and own the sixth best shutout percentage in the nation. Jacksonville’s Keri Zwikker led the A-Sun in goals (14) and points (38) on her way to receiving Freshman of the Year accolades.

Florida Atlantic placed nine of their 11 starters on the All-Atlantic Sun team including six on the first team. The runner-up Kennesaw State had six players earn all-conference nods. Hirsch and Lehtinen were the only consensus first team selections. Campbell’s Susan Persson became a four-time all-conference selection after landing on the second team. Three Florida Atlantic players also earned All-Freshmen honors, the most by any team.

Related Links:
 • Full List of Award Winners (PDF)