Feb. 10, 2003

BOCA RATON, FL. - The Florida Atlantic University women's soccer spring season opened up to much delight with three athletes earning Soccer Buzz honors. Rhonda Jones and Krista Fine were named Third Team All-Region, while Julie Ferguson earned All-Freshman Region and Freshman All-American honorable mention honors. FAU has earned a record 11 awards this past year in the process of breaking or setting 23 program records.

"I think its recognition of our team's accomplishments and the fact that we've been successful for three consecutive years now is getting us a little more attention and garnering some votes for the kids," said head coach Brian Dooley. "We would like to see more kids on there but our goal is never the individual awards. The individual awards come because of the team accomplishments."

Jones, a N. Lanarkshire, Scotland native and the most decorated athlete in Lady Owl's soccer history, becomes the first athlete in program history to be named to the NCAA All-Region team and the Soccer Buzz All-Region team in back-to-back years. Jones was a Soccer Buzz Third team selection in 2001. Jones earned First Team All-Conference honors this year from the Atlantic Sun, becoming the first athlete to earn First team honors in back-to-back years. Jones finished the season with four goals and seven assists, second on the team, for 15 points. She was instrumental in the program's first wins over the University of Miami and Jacksonville University and helped lead the team to its first ever A-Sun regular season title.

"I'm delighted that I have been recognized," said Jones. "I'm up there with a lot of good players from a lot of good teams.

"I think that it is excellent for the program because we are finally getting our name out there and they are recognizing that Florida Atlantic is a tough team, a team that is going somewhere," Jones added. "It's good to know that players aren't always recognized for scoring goals but for their hard work."

Fine, a Delray Beach, FL., native, becomes the first defender selected to the All-Region Third Team from FAU. Fine earned A-Sun First Team All-Conference honors this past year becoming only the fifth Lady Owl to earn All-Conference honors in back-to-back years. Fine, a strong defender who isn't afraid to take on the tough forwards, was a key component to FAU's successful string of a record eight consecutive shutouts.

"This is a great feeling and an honor," said Fine. "Hopefully next year our team and program will get greater recognition because this is a team effort."

Ferguson, a Glasgow, Scotland native, burst onto the FAU scene with her four goal, three assist performance versus Mercer and never looked back. The freshman set freshman records for goals, assists and points while helping lead a Lady Owl attack that scored 50 goals on the season, second most in program history. Ferguson earned A-Sun First Team and All-Freshman Conference honors after finishing the season with 10 goals and a program record 13 assists for 33 points. Ferguson ended the year ranked in the top five of the nation for assists and assists per game.

FAU looks to defend its A-Sun regular season title next year as the team only graduated three seniors from the squad and brought in a successful recruiting class.

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