Nonen and LeBlanc Named to All-WUSA Teams

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Atlanta, Ga. -- Former Huskers Sharolta Nonen and Karina LeBlanc were named to the All-WUSA first and second teams, respectively, last week.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

A defender from the Atlanta Beat, Nonen was named to the first team for her outstanding play during the 2003 season. The Canadian national team standout started all 21 regular-season games for the Beat while leading them to the playoffs for the third consecutive year.  Nonen anchored the best defense in the league, as the Beat allowed just 0.90 goals-per-game in 2003.

 

Nonen was also voted as a starting defender for the World Stars in the WUSA All-Star game in June.

 

During her NU career from 1996 to 1999, Nonen became the Huskers' first three-time All-American.  She was named the Big 12 Conference Player-of-the-Year and the Big 12 Tournament Defensive MVP in 1999.

 

LeBlanc was named to the WUSA second team, after helping the Boston Breakers post a 5-0-5 record over the final 10 regular-season matches.  The Maple Ridge, British Columbia, native only allowed two goals in the team's final three games.

 

She was the only goalkeeper in the WUSA to play every minute of every game in 2003. LeBlanc led the league in saves (81) and lowered her GAA to 1.38. LeBlanc recorded five shutouts, including two in the final week of the season.

 

LeBlanc was honored as the WUSA Player of the Week twice in 2003 and was named the starting goalkeeper for the WUSA World All-Star Team for the All-Star Game.

 

During her collegiate career, LeBlanc was a Hermann Trophy Award finalist and ranked second nationally in goals-against average (.40) in 2000.  She was an NSCAA First-Team All-Central Region selection and led the Big 12 Conference in goals-against average.