Jan. 31, 2016
It was a special evening on the campus of San José State University as friends, family and staff gathered to celebrate the hard work and success of the 2015 Mountain West champion women's soccer program.Head coach Lauren Hanson, the Mountain West's coach of the year, emceed the event which showcased the team's dedication, spirit, pride and ultimately, glory.She also announced the end-of-year awards, which were voted on by the staff and players.Rachel Docherty, the senior from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, received the Most Inspirational Player award for her growth and leadership during the year. Dorthe Hoppius, who led the team with three game-winning goals in conference play and 19 goals total on the year is the Offensive MVP.Zoe Makrigiannis, another senior captain, was the Mountain West's Defensive Player of the Year, and was announced Saturday as the team's Defensive MVP. Makrigiannis ended her career as San José State's all-time leader in saves with 17.The team's leading goal scorer (20), freshman Darriell Franklin, was named the Rookie of the Year. She netted the final penalty kick in the Mountain West Championship, which punched the team's ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000.Then as Hanson explained, for her leadership, effort and selflessness, senior Darlene Rodriguez is the 2015 Coaches Award recipient.After a few videos that showcased the teams trials, tribulations and shenanigans throughout the championship run, Hanson turned the microphone over to the three senior captains.Docherty, Makrigiannis and Rodriguez individually thanked the team's support staff including academic advisor Julie Stansberry, athletic trainer Theresa Gethins, equipment manager Justin Weaver, media relations directors Lawrence Fan and Dominic Urrutia, administrators Blake Sasaki and Marie Tuite and athletic performance coach Greg Seagrove.Finally the night ended with praise and thanks from the players to Hanson and her assistants Dominic Doty, Adrianne Fass and Rafael Soares.The event was a great way to close this chapter on an outstanding and unforgettable 2015 season. The next chapter begins this Wednesday, February 3, when the program will announce its signing class for the 2016 season.