Jan. 28, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB women's soccer team gathered for its end-of-the-year banquet last Friday, recapping the 2007 season and handing out team awards. Along with taking time to recognize the senior class, top honors were awarded to seniors Katie Henricks and Jill Porto, who were named the team's Most Valuable Players.

Henricks, who started all 19 games at defender in '07, earned her first All-Conference USA honor this season by being listed on the second team. She played sparingly her freshman season and increased her playing time year-by-year before being named team captain as a senior. For her career, she scored one goal and had three assists.

Porto has been a major offensive force for the Blazers since her arrival in 2004. A two-time All-C-USA first-team pick, she has also been listed on numerous all-region squads by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and SoccerBuzz during her career.

Porto was a four-year starter for the Blazers, racking up four goals, two assists and 10 points, while leading C-USA in shots per game with 3.68 as a senior in 2007. She also put her name in the UAB record books by setting a new school record for shots with 260 career shots taken. She also tied for fourth in both goals (25) and game-winning goals (7) and ranks ninth in points (60).

Other team honors handed out were the Most Improved Award to sophomore Toni Gockel and the Coaches' Award to senior Sally Palmer and freshman Marie Yempuku.

After coming off the bench to play in 15 games as a freshman, Gockel emerged as a starter in 18 games at defender during her sophomore season to earn the Most Improved honor. She recorded three assists during the year, bringing her career total to four.

The Coaches' Award, awarded to Palmer and Yempuku, is given to those that best embodies the ideals of the UAB women's soccer team. The recipient of this honor is someone who has been competitive on the field, intensely successful in the classroom and represents the program and university in a positive manner on and off the field.

Palmer, a team captain in '07 along with Henricks, had a decorated career at UAB. A four-year starter at forward for the Blazers, she tallied a team-high eight goals, four assists and 20 points in 2007.

Palmer also etched her named in the UAB career record books in multiple categories, including tying for first in game-winning goals (11) and ranking third in goals (28) and fourth in both points (71) and shots (160).

Yempuku made an immediate impact for the Blazers as a true freshman, starting all 19 games at midfield. Along with providing solid play for UAB, she tallied 10 shots, including seven shots on goal for the Blazers.

The banquet came to a close by honoring the senior class of 2007 for their dedication and contributions to the program throughout their careers. Henricks, Jenny Meyer, Palmer and Porto were recognized and will be remembered for their positive and lasting effects on the UAB women's soccer program for years to come.