Page 80 - Soccer360 Issue 104

AWARD SEASON
WITH THE 2023 NWSL SEASON OVER, IT IS TIME FOR AWARDS! HERE IS A BREAKDOWN OF ALL OF THE AWARD WINNERS FROM THIS SEASON AND A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION ON THE INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS.
“KEROLIN SCORED 10 GOALS & TALLIED 3 ASSIST FOR NORTH CAROLINA IN JUST 19 GAMES THIS SEASON.”
Kerolin has become an immediate
difference maker up top for the Courage.
Sophia Smith still made a huge impact in the Pacific Northwest and across the league.
In just her second season in the NWSL, Kerolin has become an immediate difference maker up top for the Courage. The Brazilian international scored 10 goals and tallied 3 assist for North Carolina in just 19 games this season. She also scored her first hat trick in the NWSL, leading the Courage to a 5-0 win over the Chicago Red Stars back in June.
Although her time with the Thorns this year was limited due to her US Women’s National Team duties at the 2023 World Cup, Smith still made a huge impact in the Pacific Northwest and across the league. The 23 year old scored 11 goals for the Thorns, including a five match stretch over the summer where she scored seven goals.
Girma earned her second consecutive Defender of the Year award after leading the Wave to the top of the NWSL Standings. Defensively, the side gave up just 22 goals tied with the Courage for the lowest among all teams last season.
Between the posts, Jane Campbell set the tone for all NWSL goalkeepers last season.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER- KEROLIN
(NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE)
GOLDEN BOOT- SOPHIA SMITH
(PORTLAND THORNS)
“THE 23 YEAR OLD SCORED 11 GOALS FOR THE THORNS, INCLUDING A FIVE MATCH STRETCH OVER THE SUMMER WHERE SHE SCORED SEVEN GOALS. ”
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR- NAOMI GIRMA
(SAN DIEGO WAVE)
Naomi Girma
“GIRMA EARNED HER SECOND CONSECUTIVE DEFENDER
OF THE YEAR AWARD”
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