November 1, 2006

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech women's soccer player Julian Johnson was named to the 2006 All-ACC Freshman team this week. It is the third consecutive year that Tech has had a freshman honored by the league. Johnson finished the regular season leading the league in assists with 12, while tying for fifth nationally in assists per game with 0.67.

"I am really happy to see that Julian was recognized on the ACC All-Freshman team," Tech head coach, Kelly Cagle, said. "Other coaches in our conference obviously took note of her league-leading assists and overall impact. Julian improved throughout the season and without a doubt had her best performances within our ACC season. I know that Julian also appreciates the support she received from her teammates in helping her with her assisting production throughout the year."

Johnson, from Norfolk, Va., is the only ACC player ranked in the Top 20 nationally in assists per game. She also is tied for fifth in the national stats in season highs for assists. Against Radford on Aug. 27, she earned three credits for her help in setting up Tech goals. Six of her assists came from her extended throw-in.

Johnson totaled 12 assists for the season, smashing the individual season record in that category by four. The previous record of eight was recorded by Wendy Kotwas in 1999. She also is tied for third with Jessica Myers on the career assist list, trailing Emily Barnhart (13 assists) and Erin Moore (14 assists).

She was second on the team in shots and shots on goal, taking 46 during the season, with 20 on net. She trailed Laurie Beth Puglisi by one for the top spot in both categories.

"For three years in a row, we have had players voted to this freshman team, which I think demonstrates the emphasis our staff has placed on recruiting," Cagle said. "Without a doubt, though, we had two or three other current members who were deserving of All-ACC recognition, and I think with better results in future years, we will place those players."

Johnson is the fourth Tech women's soccer player to earn All-ACC Freshman honors. Heather Hallberg and Ashley Stinson were the Hokie honorees in 2004, while Puglisi was named to the team following last season.

2006 All-ACC First Team 

 Yael Averbuch..........Midfielder...........North Carolina 

 Laura Georges..........Defender.............Boston College 

 Selin Kuralay..........Midfielder...........Florida State 

 Jenny Maurer...........Midfielder ..........Boston College 

 Rebecca Moros .........Midfielder...........Duke 

 Heather O'Reilly.......Forward .............North Carolina 

 Elizabeth Remy.........Forward..............Wake Forest 

 Nikki Resnick..........Goalkeeper...........Maryland 

 Jess Rostedt...........Forward..............Virginia 

 Becky Sauerbrunn.......Defender.............Virginia 

 Katrin Schmidt.........Defender.............Florida State 

 India Trotter..........Forward..............Florida State 

2006 All-ACC Second Team 

 Julie Bolt.............Midfielder...........Clemson 

 Gina DiMartino.........Forward..............Boston College 

 Kristina Hanley........Defender.............Wake Forest 

 Tobin Heath............Midfielder...........North Carolina 

 Elizabeth Jobe.........Midfielder...........Clemson 

 Darby Kroyer...........Midfielder...........Duke 

 Nikki Kryzsik..........Defender.............Virginia 

 Jessica Maxwell........Defender.............North Carolina 

 Ashley Phillips........Goalkeeper...........Clemson 

 Kelly Rowland..........Midfielder...........Florida State 

 Lindsay Vera...........Forward..............NC State 

 Nikki Washington.......Midfielder...........North Carolina 

2006 All-ACC Freshmen Team 

 Gina DiMartino.........Forward..............Boston College 

 Becky Edwards..........Defender.............Florida State 

 Whitney Engen..........Forward..............North Carolina 

 Kaley Fountain.........Defender.............Wake Forest 

 KayAnne Gummersall.....Forward..............Duke 

 Tobin Heath............Midfielder ..........North Carolina 

 Julian Johnson.........Forward..............Virginia Tech 

 Elisabeth Redmond .....Forward..............Duke 

 Allie Sadow............Forward..............Wake Forest 

 Katie Vogel............Midfielder...........Clemson 

 Nikki Washington.......Midfielder...........North Carolina 

 Sarah Winslow..........Forward..............Wake Forest 

2006 Offensive Player of the Year 

 Yael Averbuch...................North Carolina 

2006 Defensive Player of the Year 

 Laura Georges...................Boston College 

2006 Freshman of the Year 

 Gina DiMartino..................Boston College 

2006 Coach of the Year 

 Anson Dorrance..................North Carolina