USL Announces W-League All-League Team; Names Postseason Award Finalists

United Soccer Leagues Monday announced the 2009 All-League Team for the W-League, as well as named the finalists for key postseason honors -- Defender of the Year, U-19 Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and Most Valuable Player.

The winners of those four awards will be named Wednesday.

Here are the members of the 2009 USL W-League All-League Team:

2009 USL W-LEAGUE ALL-LEAGUE TEAM

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Michelle Betos, Atlanta Silverbacks
- Rookie season in W-League
- Was 9-1-1 in net this season for 10-1-1 team
- Finished second in league in goals against average (0.188) and in shutouts (nine) and was tied for second in wins (nine)

DEFENDERS
Ashleigh Gunning, Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues
- Had two goals and two assists in 13 games this season
- Led Lady Blues to league's regular season title at 12-0-2; team allowed nine goals in 14 games

Ria Percival, Ottawa Fury
- Had five assists this season
- Helped team give up nine goals this season
- Appeared in every minute of all 14 games this season

Brittany Taylor, Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues
- Rookie season in league
- Scored three goals in nine games this season

MIDFIELDERS
Gemma Davidson, Chicago Red Eleven
- Scored six goals and two assists in eight games this season

Michelle French, Seattle Sounders
- Scored four goals and an assist over all 12 games this season

Rosa Tantillo, Buffalo Flash
- Scored eight goals and two assists over all 14 games this season

Nikki Washington, Pali Blues
- Scored five goals and two assists in nine games this season

FORWARDS
Laura Del Rio, FC Indiana Lionesses
- League Scoring and Goal Scoring Champion this season: 18 goals, four assists

Amber Hearn, Ottawa Fury
- Scored 13 goals (tied for fourth most in league) and two assists this season
- Was sixth in Scoring race

Angelika Johansson, Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues
- Scored 14 goals and eight assists this season
- Finished second in Scoring race, was tied for second in goals and tied for third in assists

Here are the nominees for the four individual awards:

DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Ashleigh Gunning, Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues
Ria Percival, Ottawa Fury
Brittany Taylor, Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues

U-19 PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sarah Chapman, Tampa Bay Hellenic
Chante Sandiford, Washington Freedom
Fortuna Velaj, Connecticut Passion

COACH OF THE YEAR
Tony Anglin, Chicago Red Eleven
Fabian Cottin, Quebec City Amiral
George Fotopoulos, Tampa Bay Hellenic
Jesse Kolmel, Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Laura Del Rio, FC Indiana Lionesses
Amber Hearn, Ottawa Fury
Angelika Johansson, Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues