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Stephanie Verdoia of Seattle University wins the 2014 Senior CLASS Award® for women’s soccer

December 05, 2014

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (December 5, 2014) – Seattle University forward Stephanie Verdoia has been selected in nationwide balloting as the 2014 Senior CLASS Award® winner in NCAA® Division I women’s soccer.

The award, chosen by a vote of Division I women’s soccer coaches, national soccer media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I women’s soccer. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, community, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete in 10 NCAA sports and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“My time as a student-athlete at Seattle University for the past four years has prepared me for life after college in more ways than one,” Verdoia said. “Academically, I have been challenged and have continuously developed new perspectives and standards for myself and the world around me. These past four years have given me the opportunity to strive for these higher standards and hopefully make the world a better place.”

On the playing field, Verdoia has established herself as one of the nation’s top soccer players, earning Third -Team All-America honors as a senior while leading the Western Athletic Conference in both scoring (22) and assists (13).

Off the field, the Political Science major has accumulated a 3.96 GPA and has been very active in leadership positions on campus as well as community service in Seattle and internationally. She serves as Vice-President of SU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and works with the Peer Mentorship program. Among her many humanitarian activities was a spring break trip to Belize in 2013 to help children in an orphanage.

“Stephanie is one of the most special, unique young women I have had the privilege of working with in my 18 years as a head coach,” said Julie Woodward, Seattle University women’s soccer head coach. “She is constantly challenging herself and her teammates to become better athletes, students, soccer players and people. She sets an impressive example for those around her and she has really changed the face of this program to put us on a different level. She has received so many awards and accolades and it comes as no surprise because she is one of the most committed, consistent and disciplined people I have ever met. She is going to have a very exciting and productive future.”

Verdoia was named First Team All-WAC all three years Seattle has been a conference member and is a two-time WAC Offensive Player of the Year. She also won the WAC’s 2013-14 Joe Kearney Award, given annually to the top male and female student-athletes in the league.

A prolific scorer, Verdoia became Seattle U’s single-season leader in goals in the 2014 WAC title game and set a new program record for career goals earlier in the season on Senior Day. Her 22 goals this year ranked second among all NCAA Division I women’s soccer players.

“Stephanie clearly has been a high achiever both on the soccer field and in the classroom, all while being active in leadership roles and community service projects,” said Erik Miner, executive director for the Senior CLASS Award. “She is a very deserving winner of the Senior CLASS Award and we congratulate Stephanie, her family and Seattle University on this honor.”

Women’s Soccer 2014 Winner

First Team

Second Team