United Soccer Coaches Release

Kansas City, Mo. - University of Wisconsin-La Crosse student-athletes Tori Barnhart of Milwaukee (Whitnall), Natalie Jamison of Savage, Minn. (Burnsville) and Kaitlyn Villars of Minneapolis, Minn. (Washburn) have earned the 2020-21 College Player Award of Distinction by the United Soccer Coaches. 

The recipients included National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, II and III, in addition to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCCA) and Junior Colleges. 

A total of 325 women and 184 men's players earned the award.

United Soccer Coaches is committed to extending opportunities for its college members to recognize their significant players and contributions to their programs.  The new College Player Award of Distinction was established this spring for its member head coaches to submit deserving player based on one or more of the following criteria:

* Player has achieved quality performance on the field;
* Represented the highest ideals of team leadership;
* Exhibited quality character attributes including sportsmanship and respect for teammates, opponents, officials and the game in general;
* Made other significant contributions to the benefit of the program and the community.

 
 

Barnhart played in 22 games with 21 starts at defender in 2019 for UWL.  She helped the Eagles' record 10 shutouts and a 0.86 goals against average.  UWL led the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in shutouts and ranked second in goals against average. 

Jamison started 20 contests at midfielder in 2019, recording 12 shots with six on goal.  She finished with three shots, including two on goal, versus Carleton College (Minn.). 

Villars was a three-time (2017-19) All-WIAC First Team selection at forward for the Eagles.  She was named to the 2019 United Soccer Coaches All-North Region Second Team after starting all 22 games and leading UWL in game-winning goals (6), shots (74) and shots on goal (45).  Villars was second in goals (9) and points (21) while finishing fourth in assists (3). Voted to the 2019 United Soccer Coaches North/Central Region Scholar Team, Villars was also a United Soccer Coaches All-North Region Second Team in 2017. 

UWL finished 12-7-3 overall and 4-2-1 in the WIAC in 2019.  The Eagles advanced to their fifth straight WIAC Championship game.  The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 public health threat. 

UWL opens its 2021 season at Luther College (Iowa) on Wednesday, September 1.  The Eagles will host nine contests at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex with the home opener scheduled for Saturday, September 11 veruss Dominican University (Ill.).  

Jason Murphy starts his eighth season as UWL's head coach in 2021. 

Founded in 1941 and based in Kansas City, Mo., United Soccer Coaches has grown into the world's largest soccer coaches' organization that serves members at every level of the game.

United Soccer Coaches works every day to inspire coaches and ignite their passion for the game so they pass it on to players and others in the soccer community.