.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
University of Houston Athletics
Houston Celebrates 2017 Season at Banquet
1/21/2018 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
HOUSTON â€" The Houston Soccer team celebrated its first season under Head Coach Diego Bocanegra Sunday afternoon with a banquet at the Athletics Alumni Building on the campus of the University of Houston.
"We're excited to celebrate the 2017 season and give our seniors the proper sendoff that they deserve," said Bocanegra. "We wanted to celebrate our players and team for their individual and group accomplishments. I think that we had a great afternoon with a lot of support from friends and family."
At the banquet, individual awards were awarded to players with friends and family in attendance. Each award was voted on by teammates, with ties broken by the coaching staff.
This season's Newcomer of the Year award was given to freshman forward Jazmin Grant. Grant tallied up five goals and five assists, to go along with conference Rookie of the Week honors and an All-Rookie team selection. Grant is currently in Trinidad & Tobago playing for the Jamaican U20 National team as it vies for a spot in the U20 World Cup.
Offensive Player of the Year was awarded to senior Selena Peters, who led the team in goals and points with seven goals and two assists. The Houston native, closed out her career at Houston with an All-Conference Second team selection.
Margo McEntire earned Defensive Player of the Year honors after anchoring a backline that posted three shutouts this season. McEntire closed out her career with 65 starts, starting all but one game in her career at Houston.
Julissa DePaoli was the recipient of Most Improved Player honors, after going from playing 45 minutes last season to starting 15 of 17 matches. DePaoli was a defensive threat for the Cougars alongside McEntire and helped secure three shutouts this season.
Teammate of the Year was awarded to senior Vanessa Almaguer. Almaguer is known as a leader on and off the field for the Cougars. Almaguer notched one goal and one assist this season, with the goal coming against then No. 21 Cincinnati.
Lauren Holtzclaw received Humanitarian of the Year honors after being an active part of the Houston community. Holtzclaw has shown her strengths on and off the field for the Cougars in her humanitarian actions.
Most Valuable Player for the 2017 season was awarded to junior goalkeeper Rachel Estopare. Estopare is a three-time Goalkeeper of the Week honoree and defensive leader for the Cougars. Estopare racked up 92 saves this season as the primary goalkeeper for Houston, compiling a 7-7-1 record. The junior was essential in the closing minutes of Houston's 2-1 victory of then-No. 21 Cincinnati.
Last, but not least, senior Hannah Dauzat was tabbed Champion for Life. Dauzat become the programs first CoSIDA Academic All-American after earning Third Team honors this past season to go along with two CoSIDA All- District honors. Dauzat is an active member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and in her first year of graduate school.
TICKETS
The Houston Athletics Ticket Office is proud to offer the Shasta Pass for the 2017-18 athletic season. For just $80, Cougar fans can purchase one Shasta Pass, which allows season-long general admission entrance to all Houston Soccer, Women's Basketball, Volleyball, and Softball home games. To purchase a Shasta Pass, click HERE. Fans that purchase a Shasta Pass will enter the game on a VIP List at the entrance to each sport facility. Please bring a Photo ID.
FOLLOW THE COUGARS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in University of Houston Cougar athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HoustonAthletics), Twitter (@UHCougars), Instagram (houstoncougars) and YouTube.com (Youtube.com/UHAthletics). In addition, the soccer team has established its own official Facebook (Facebook.com/UHCougarSoccer) and Twitter pages (@UHCougarSoccer), which provide regular updates on the team and live results during home matches.
