LePeilbet Named Defender of the Year

Breaker Had Standout Season in WPS

By Mark Goodman

August 31, 2009

Amy LePeilbet of the Boston Breakers was named Women�s Professional Soccer�s MedImmune Defender of the Year during Saturday�s league awards ceremony in St. Louis.

The Boston Breakers' Amy LePeilbet (left) started 19 of the team's 20 matches this season. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

Sunday, the 27-year old started and played the first half of the WPS All-Stars� 4-2 comeback win from Swedish power Umea IK. Boston Breakers teammate Kristine Lilly scored the WPS team�s first goal in the 24th minute, starting the team�s comeback from an early 2-0 deficit.

LePeilbet�s standout season has seen her become a regular starter in the middle of the U.S. national team�s defense. She had been out of the national team picture prior to this year after tearing an ACL in 2006.

�You can�t be a good defender without your teammates, so this is also an award for all my teammates,� LePeilbet told WPS� web site Saturday. �I�ve had some up and down years with my injuries and it�s been great that I�ve had the opportunity once again with WPS to go out there and perform this year.�

As expected, L.A. Sol star Marta won the Michelle Akers Player of the Year award, as well as being awarded the Puma Golden Boot for her league-best 10 goals. Marta�s coach, Abner Rogers, was named AdvoCare Coach of the Year.

Other award winners were St. Louis Athletica�s Hope Solo (Coast Guard Goalkeeper of the Year) and Sky Blue FC defender Christie Rampone (Hint Water Sportswoman of the Year).

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