Johansson Named W-League MVP

Taylor Earns Defender of the Year Honors

August 6, 2009

Franklin Pierce University junior All-American Angelika Johansson was named the W-League’s Most Valuable Player as announced by the United Soccer Leagues (USL).

Angelika Johansson scored 14 goals in 14 games for Hudson Valley this summer.

Johansson adds the impressive award to her honors as she has been previously named a member of the W-League All-League and the All-Eastern Conference teams.

Johansson led the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues in both goals and assists throughout her team’s undefeated regular season (12-0-2). She ended the season with 36 points, which is currently second best in the league, netting 14 goals over the summer - currently tied for second best in the league. She also had eight assists, tied for eighth-best in the League.

Johansson recorded the match-winning goal in four contests this summer and tallied a point in 11 of her 14 appearances. She racked up three W-League “Team of the Week” honors and one W-League “Player of the Week” award during the summer.

“Angelika fulfilled all the high hopes we had for her this season,” said Quickstrike head coach Jesse Kolmel. “Just when other teams thought they had shut her down, she would come through with moments of brilliance. She has been one of the best I’ve ever had the honor of coaching.”

Johansson’s Hudson Valley teammate, UConn’s Brittany Taylor, was named W-League Defender of the Year.

A longtime member of the Quickstrike youth setup, the former U.S. U-20 international captained the team to an undefeated 12-0-2 record and their first ever W-League regular season championship in 2009.

“Brittany has been an unbelievable leader for us this season,” said Komel. “She showed excellent versatility this season, being able to play in the center and on the right as well as going forward into the attack.”

The Huskies’ senior appeared in 10 games during the regular season, tallying three goals and one assist, while leading the backline to one of the top defensive records in the W-League.

In addition, Connecticut Passion striker and Quinnipiac sophomore Fortuna Velaj was one of the three finalists for the league’s U-19 Player of the Year award, which went to Freedom keeper Chante Sandiford.