Elizabeth Burchenal is Gatorade Player of the Year St

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Elizabeth Burchenal is Gatorade Player of the Year

St. Ursula Academy soccer player, Elizabeth Burchenal has been named the 2008-09 Gatorade Ohio Girls Soccer Player of the Year. The daughter of James and Gibson Burchenal of Terrace Park, Burchenal has been recognized by the Gatorade Company, in partnership with ESPN RISE as an outstanding athlete who also has high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Burchenal is a 5-foot-7 junior forward who had 33 goals and 16 assists this past season, leading the Bulldogs (20-0-3) to their second straight Division I state championship. A National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American selection, ESPN RISE first team All-American and Enquirer Division I player of the year, Burchenal scored in all seven of St. Ursula's postseason games, including the lone goal in the state title game during a 1-0 win over Strongsville. Burchenal, who has committed to North Carolina, has scored 65 goals in her career. St. Ursula head soccer coach Dave Ruehl says, "Elizabeth's blend of strength, speed, and goal scoring mentality make her a very special player. She is the type of player and person every coach loves to have on their side. She is certainly deserving of this award."

St. Ursula Principal Frances Romweber asserts that, “Elizabeth Burchenal defines good sportsmanship by her total team approach in soccer. She is a very inclusive player and understands that quality playing is every team member’s responsibility and winning is equally shared by the entire team. Elizabeth is resourceful and she anticipates the perfect moment for that outside kick and loses no time in taking advantage of it to score a goal. She has a strong foot and an equally strong stamina and really does enjoy being out on the field with her teammates. I have never felt that winning was a goal for Liz. Having fun is definitely the driving force in her competitive style on the soccer field.”

Burchenal is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year award to be announced in May.

St. Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college preparatory secondary school for young women. In 2002 the academy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. Located in East Walnut Hills at 1339 E. McMillan Street, the campus has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910.