Freshman Earns Soccer Honor

Rice Owls’ midfielder Sarah Yoder was named Freshman of the Year when Soccer Buzz announced its Division I first-year program honors December 28. Defenders Caitlin Currie and Betsy Huete joined Yoder on the publication’s All-National Team, composed of the best players from the seven first-year schools.

Yoder led the Western Athletic Conference with eight assists and had 12 points on the season; she and Currie were on the all-WAC second team, joining fellow freshman goalkeeper Amanda Garrison. Rice garnered a No. 2 ranking in Soccer Buzz’s first-year programs poll in November.

Binghamton sophomore Tracy Kasmarcik was named National Player of the Year for first-year programs, and Western Kentucky’s Jason Neidell nabbed Coach of the Year honors.
Since 1996, Soccer Buzz has honored the best programs, players, and coaches from schools that sponsor Division I soccer for the first time. The selections are based on voting from all Division I head coaches and Soccer Buzz staff.