Nov. 2, 2005
Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina sophomore midfielder Ashley Kirk has earned second team All-SEC honors announced on Wednesday evening at the SEC Soccer Tournament awards banquet in Orange Beach, Ala. A native of Macon, Ga., Kirk has now been honored twice in both her seasons with the garnet and black. Last season, Kirk shared SEC Freshman of the Year Honors with Genna Gorman of Tennessee and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.
“Ashley is a quality player and I’m excited for her to be recognized again,” said USC head coach Shelley Smith. “She’s proven herself among the top players in the conference two years in a row. Despite having a disappointing season as a team, she showed a lot of heart and desire on the field. She led us, kept playing until the end and as a young player we are looking to her to continue to lead the team not just on the field but off the field.”
Kirk tallied three goals and one assist this season and was the only Carolina player to start all 18 matches. Among the three goals Kirk scored this season, one was a game-winning goal in USC’s 2-0 victory vs. Rhode Island at the Auburn/Reebok Classic.
“She plays a huge role obviously starting every game; we have a lot of confidence in her,” said Smith. “Ashley has shown a lot of consistency in her play. We hope that she will take on more of that leadership role, that’s what we need out of players like herself. She knows that and wants to do that. I’m really happy for her to be recognized and I think she deserves it. She will continue to play a key role for us in the next two years and we will also be able to build some more success around her.”
In just two years at Carolina, Kirk has been a workhorse in the midfield for USC having played in all 38 matches for Carolina in that time frame with 36 starts. Kirk has 13 points in those two seasons with four goals and five assists.
2005 SEC WOMEN'S SOCCER AWARDSCO-COACHES OF THE YEARAngela Kelly, TennesseeRonnie Coveleskie Hill, VanderbiltSCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEARLibby Probst, AlabamaOFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEARAli Williams, GeorgiaDEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEARTyler Griffin, VanderbiltFRESHMAN OF THE YEARJennifer Hance, Ole MissFIRST TEAM ALL-SECAli Williams Sr. F GeorgiaCourtney McCrudden Sr. F KentuckyGenna Gorman So. F TennesseeRandi-Lynn Bruso Jr. MF GeorgiaAli Christoph Jr.. MF TennesseeJennifer Hance Fr. MF Ole MissChrissy Strini So. MF Ole MissMelanie Booth Jr.. D FloridaRonda Brooks Jr.. D AuburnKim Perkins Jr. D VanderbiltTyler Griffin Jr.. GK VanderbiltSECOND TEAM ALL-SECTina Burger Jr. F ArkansasMegan Kerns Fr. F FloridaLea Lafield Jr. F VanderbiltKylie Rossi Fr. F TennesseeMelissa Clarke Fr. MF LSUCortni Joyner Jr. MF GeorgiaAshley Kirk So. MF South CarolinaMonica Buff Jr. D VanderbiltAshley Eason Sr. D AuburnAshley Harris So. D FloridaVanessa Phillips-Bosshart Sr. GK Tennessee
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAMJackie Acevado F TennesseeMegan Kerns F FloridaJessica Lenze F VanderbiltKylie Rossi F TennesseeMelissa Clarke MF LSUJennifer Hance MF Ole MissKatie Schulz MF VanderbiltChristine Breaux D Ole MissBethany Frazier D Mississippi StateJennifer Johnson D AuburnColleen Posey D AlabamaMegan Tomlinson D GeorgiaKara Gudmens GK Alabama
