ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia soccer signee Laura Eddy was named the 2009 Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Georgia, as announced by the organization this week.

With being named the Georgia Player of the Year, Eddy, of Marist High School and an Atlanta native, is in the running for the National Player of the Year honors, which is scheduled to be announced next week.

Gatorade State Players of the Year are selected on the basis of outstanding athletic excellence accompanied by high standards of academic achievement and exemplary personal character demonstrated on and off the field.

“We are thrilled that Laura was recognized as the 2009 Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year, especially when you consider how many talented young ladies there are throughout the state,” Georgia head coach Patrick Baker said. “She and the Marist team had an amazing spring that concluded with another exciting state championship. Her game has matured throughout her senior year and we look forward to her joining us this fall. We feel very fortunate to have Laura as one of our newest Bulldogs.”

“I am truly honored to have been named Gatorade Player of the Year for 2009, and even more honored that I am following in the footsteps of two of my future UGA teammates, Marah Falle and Ashley Baker,” Eddy said. “I really owe most of my achievement to my coach, Sergio Stadler, and the Marist Varsity Girls soccer team. The team had an incredible season and helped push me to play at the top of my game. I also have to thank my parents for the support they have given me throughout my entire soccer career.”

Eddy was named a 2008 NSCAA/adidas High School All-American and helped Marist High School to the State Championship as a junior and senior. She was also named to the NSCAA All-Southern High School Region Team in 2007 and 2008, and was also named to the Dekalb All-County First Team and the Greater Atlanta All-Area First Team. She was a four-year starter at Marist High School, where she was also a member of the National Honors Society. She has also been a part of the Region III ODP team since joining the U-14 squad.

Eddy becomes the third straight Georgia state Gatorade Player of the Year to join the Bulldogs. Current Bulldogs Marah Falle and Ashley Baker won the state honor in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Eddy is one of two Georgia signees to earn state Player of the Year honors. Fellow signee Susannah Dennis won the award in Tennessee as a junior and as a senior.