Team Banquet Kicks Off Big Weekend

The Utes kicked off a big "family" weekend with the annual team banquet held on Friday night at the Old Mill Golf Club in Salt Lake City. Coaches, team members and families gathered for some good food, team awards and a highlight video. The stars of the evening were the six graduating seniors who were honored for being such great servants to the program. Seen in the photo at left are: Katie Brower, Danielle Sample, Amy Edman, Katy Reineke, Amanda Sanchez and Addie Hair. Each was presented with a photo framed and signed by the team as well as a Utah Soccer scarf. Amanda came all the way from Alabama for the weekend. She graduated in December and has moved to the South with her fiance, Drew, who is stationed in the military there.






Here is Katie Brower being presented with her gifts...













Frehsman Anne Shallenberger enjoyed the dinner of pasta, chicken and veggies...with some great desserts like cheese cake, carrot cake and more!













Team members were honored for their 2nd place finish in the Mountain West Conference as well as being a finalist in the MWC Tournament. Coach Leslie Keener put together a highlight video.








Players voted on team awards as well. The following were the award winners:

Freshman of the Year - Lauren Porter
Most Improved - Mallory Mitamura
Most Inspirational - Danielle Sample
Offensive Player of the Year - Lauren Hair
Defensive Player of the Year - Amanda Sanchez
Most Valuable Player - Kelly Isleib

Team Banquet Night

We held our annual banquet and team awards night at the Joseph Smith building in downtown Salt Lake City. Good food, good company and an original movie (highlight show) by assistant coach, Leslie Keener.

Here is Coach Keener with husband, Jay, as well at Ute soccer trainers, Kristin Schelin and Kai Okitsu.









To the left we see 4 of our freshmen, Lauren Hair, Morgan Skeen , Alyssa Toomey and Erin Dalley, who are roommates in the Sage Point dorms, sharing a moment to take a photo (as if they need another photo together!).











The evening was also a chance to thank our 4 seniors, Paola Marsenaro, Melissa Crespo, Kiley Jones and Chelsea Card, for their service and dedication to our soccer program and for representing the University of Utah so well.
















Paola brought along husband, Pablo Sanchez. Listen to P talk about what's next and how Pablo wants babies...now!!





Below is Chelsea with mom, Sherry, who along with dad, Don, came up from San Clemente, California for the weekend. Sherry reminds Chelsea that soccer is over for now as she must rest those aching knees!



Kiley Jones had her sister, Whitney, and mom, Brooke (also a Utah grad) up from Southern California as well. Here Kiley discusses her Utah career and what might be next...






Melissa Crespo had her mom, Deb Girodano, in town from the Bay Area. Listen to Melissa's thoughts about her last banquet as a Ute player...