By Dannielle Lowe
The off-season so far has been very good to the Portland Pilots, who have been showered with multiple awards and accolades.
The Pilots may have come up short during playoffs, but their successful play this last season has allowed them to earn national recognition and honors during the postseason.
Former senior defender Stephanie Cox née Lopez, was the first Pilot to be recognized during the off season. Lowe's awarded Cox the first ever Lowe's Senior CLASS Award for women's soccer.
The award, which is selected through a nationwide vote of coaches, media and fans, is given to an outstanding NCAA Division I senior student athlete.
Cox and fellow recent graduate forward Angie Woznuk received All-America honor recognition from the NSCAA/Adidas Women's NCAA Division 1 All-America Team. Cox was a first team selection, and Woznuk earned a spot on the third team.
According to their teammates, the women truly earned the award.
"They're both amazing individuals. They really worked hard this season to bring the team together," freshman midfielder Ellie Reed said of her former teammates. "As a freshman they have really influenced me, both on and off the field. Off the field, they are always willing to help if we ever need anything, and on the field they are always giving us pointers.
In addition to being NCAA All-Americans, the two former Pilots also won First Team All-America honors in the annual Soccer Buzz Magazine postseason awards. Cox is a four-time All-America pick by the magazine and Woznuck won her third consecutive award.
But the two were not alone. Four other Pilots were selected for honors by the magazine. Sophomore forward Michelle Enyeart was a Fourth team pick and freshmen Keelin Winters, Sophie Schmidt and Reed earned Freshman All-America honors.
"It was a good feeling. I wasn't really expecting it," Reed said. "It would not have been possible without the help of my team."
Soccer America also recognized several players. Schmidt secured a spot on the All-Freshmen First Team honor list. Woznuk and Cox were among 22 players selected for the Soccer America National MVP teams.
In addition to the outside recognition, the Pilots dominated WCC All-Conference picks. Nearly every Pilot starter earned some type of honor. Woznuk took home the Player of the Year award while Cox got the Defensive Player of the Year.
Coach Garrett Smith even got in on the action as the WCC Coach of the Year. The WCC surprised freshman midfielder Winters with the Freshman of the Year Award.
"Coming to Portland, I was just looking to get better and maybe get some playing time," Winters said. "So to get the All WCC Freshman of the Year Award was a bit of a surprise, but it felt great."
It's been an exciting off-season for the Pilots especially for former Pilots Woznuk and Cox, who were among 20 players selected for the U.S. Women's National Team.
Woznuk and Cox traveled to Foshan, China, over the weekend, where they played in the team's first national tournament, the 2008 Four Nations Tournament. They defeated Canada (4-0), Finland (4-1) and China (1-0) to become the tournament champions.
