Dobbyn Selected W-League MVP, U-19 Player of Year
8/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
WEST WINDSOR, N.J. -- The United Soccer League's W-League announced last Saturday (Aug. 6) that University of Michigan rising sophomore Melissa Dobbyn (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) was elected the 2005 Most Valuable Player and U-19 Player of the Year by the league's coaches and general managers.
Dobbyn tallied 13 goals and three assists in 14 games to lead the second-year Detroit Jaguars to an 11-3-0 record and the Midwest Division title. She finished fifth in the league in points (29) and was tied for fourth in goals. Dobbyn, who was previously honored as the W-League Player of the Week once during the season, is considered an up-and-coming youth component of the W-League with her U-19 Player of the Year recognition. She was also voted to the All-League and All-Central Conference teams at the conclusion of the season.
Dobbyn will look to have another breakout season for the Wolverines in 2005. She finished her freshman campaign tied for the team lead in points (21) on nine goals and three assists in 22 games.
The W-League is recognized as North America's best women's development organization. The league provides the most complete women's player pool in the world and gives the nation's best college players the opportunity to play alongside established international players while maintaining their collegiate eligibility.
Other current Wolverines on 2005 W-League rosters included seniors Stephanie Boyles (Arvada, Colo./Pomona HS) and Therese Heaton (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South HS) and juniors Lindsey Cottrell (Kalamazoo, Mich./Central HS) and Katelin Spencer (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS), who were all teammates of Dobbyn's on the Jaguars; junior Megan Tuura (Tucker, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic HS) of the Atlanta Silverbacks; freshman Madison Gates (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker HS) of the Rochester Ravens; and freshman Danelle Underwood (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern HS) of the West Michigan Firewomen.
Michigan opens its 12th season of varsity competition next Tuesday (Aug. 16) with a 6 p.m. exhibition match against Virginia at the Keystone Rd. Soccer Complex in Traverse City, Mich. The Wolverines begin the regular season on the road against Kansas on Aug. 26 (5 p.m. CDT) in Lawrence, Kan., while the home opener is scheduled for Sept. 2 (7 p.m.) against Texas at the U-M Soccer Field.
W-League Site
Contact: Marc Ressler (734) 763-4423
