Incoming Seattle University women's soccer freshman Stephanie Verdoia was named the 2010-11 Utah Gatorade Player of the Year for girls soccer, it was announced Thursday. The accolade is only the icing on a decorated prep playing career for the Salt Lake City native.
"Stephanie is not only a tremendous talent on the field, but she is great person, a leader and an involved member of her community," said head coach Julie Woodward. "This award is well deserved! She is going to have such a great career here. It's awards like this - that honor both on-field achievement and character that make us so proud of our student-athletes."
The 5-6 forward is coming off winning the 5A state championship and being named the 5A MVP by The Salt Lake Tribune and Desert News. Over her high school career she scored 58 goals and tallied 38 assists. In addition to playing at Brighton High School, she has been a member of Sparta Premier '93 club team, the Utah State ODP team, and has participated in the Region IV tournament, camp and player pool.
Verdoia boasts a 3.98 cumulative grade point average and will join the SU women's soccer program in the fall of 2011.