Dec. 5, 2005

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Senior defender Laura Koch (Blackwood, N.J. / Gloucester Catholic HS) has been named the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association Collegiate Player of the Year, the organization announced recently. Koch and this year's other award-winners will be honored at the association's annual banquet this evening.

Koch, who is one of many former scholastic players from the South Jersey area that have starred at Villanova, enjoyed an outstanding senior season in 2005. As the team's top defender, she helped anchor a unit that surrendered just 1.05 goals per game and posted seven shutouts. Strong play by Koch and the entire defense helped limit opponents to just 12 shots per game.

When she wasn't stopping the other team from getting to the goal, Koch proved to be a dangerous offensive player as well. She tallied one goal and three assists on the season and scored five points. Her goal against West Virginia in the Big East Quarterfinals was her lone collegiate goal, and she finished her career with totals of six assists and eight points.

Koch earned All-Big East accolades for the second straight season, meriting a spot on the second team. She was also a third team all-conference choice last season. Koch has also been an NSCAA All-Mid Atlantic Region selection twice in her career.

During her four-year career, Koch helped Villanova reach unparalleled success in the program's history. The Wildcats posted a record of 53-18-16 (.701) during her career and made three consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament. In 2003, Villanova finished with a 15-5-5 record, winning its first Big East title and advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time along the way.

In her final collegiate campaign this season, the Wildcats had a 10-5-4 record and reached the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament. Villanova lost just once in Big East play (6-1-3) and finished in second place in their division, trailing only conference champion Notre Dame.