« Women’s Soccer 2013

Frances Silva

School
West Virginia
Position
Forward
Major
Sports Management
G
10
A
11
PTS
31

Classroom

Silva has been a standout performer on and off the field. Even as a competitive Division I athlete, She graduated in three years with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, maintaining a 3.97 cumulative grade point average. As an undergraduate student, Silva was named to the President’s list five times and the Dean’s list once. In 2012, she was named to the NSCAA Scholar All-East Region Third Team. Silva was a member of the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll and has been a Big East Academic All-Star. In 2013, Silva received the Jerry P. Wilkins Scholarship and was the Dr. Gerald Lage award winner, the highest academic honor given by the Big 12 Conference. As a 20-year-old, she is currently a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in sport management and is bilingual.

Character

Silva has been a leader her entire career, on and off the pitch. Determined to achieve at the highest level, she has received accolades at every level of competition, yet has stayed humble in her demeanor. Seen as a positive role model by her teammates, Silva has been recognized as the team’s most–improved player and a captain.

“The integrity, intelligence and extreme dedication that Frances has to excellence on and off the field is one that has always been set at the highest standard,” said coach Nikki Izzo-Brown.

Community

In Silva’s three-year career at WVU, she has compiled more than 118 service hours. She has been active in the WVU 4-v-4 Small-Sided Breast Cancer Tournament, benefitting research for the cure. Silva has also participated in several camps, such as the Soccer School of Excellence. The Mountaineers have made a habit of being active outside of the pitch, and have participated in the local Relay for Life and visited local childrens hospitals as a team. Silva and the WVU program has tallied more than $100,000 to fund research for the cure.

Aside from service with WVU, Silva has aided in a field day with a local elementary school, showing the importance of being a healthy athlete and making the right choices. She also went to the Bartlett House to help those in need. Additionally, Silva provides one-on-one instruction for youth players in the Morgantown community.

Competition

In 2012, Silva started all 20 matches, leading the Mountaineers with 11 goals and was second on the team with 24 points. She was named to the All-Big 12 Second-Team and College Sports Madness All-Big 12 Second-Team. As a junior, Silva received several player of the week honors, including: Disney Soccer/NSCAA National Player of the Week, Soccer News National Player of the Week, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, ECAC Player of the Week, member of the TopDrawerSoccer Team of the Week, Soccer America Team of the Week, and CollegeSoccer360 Primetime Performer of the Week. Some of her 2012 highlights include scoring the game-winning goal against then No. 1 Stanford and scoring in four consecutive matches, including multiple goals in three consecutive.

In 2011, Silva was an All-Big East Second-Team member and named to the Big East All-Tournament Team. She started all 22 matches, tallying 20 points, including eight goals. Silva was named a member of the TopDrawerSoccer Team of the Week.

As a freshman in 2010, Silva was named to the Big East All-Rookie Team and appeared in all 24 matches, making 20 starts. She was named to the Soccer America All-Rookie Second-Team and Big East Rookie of the Week. Silva tallied four goals and 11 points in her rookie campaign.

Entering 2013, Silva was named to the preseason All-Big 12 Team Silva. With her senior class, they have claimed a conference title on three occasions.