DURHAM, N.C. –  The Duke women’s soccer team held its annual team banquet on Sunday evening to officially wrap up the very successful 2008 campaign, which saw the Blue Devils advance to the NCAA College Cup quarterfinals for the second straight year and win 15 contests. 

A total of six awards were given out on the evening including Newcomer of the Year, Most Inspirational Player, Coaches Award, Most Outstanding Offensive Player, Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Valuable Player.  All awards except for the Coach Award were voted on by the student-athletes. 

Taking home both the Most Valuable Player and Most Outstanding Offensive Player was junior KayAnne Gummersall.  After suffering from an ankle injury for most of her sophomore season, Gummersall came back strong in 2008 with a team-best 15 goals and 34 points.  She also added four assists and five game-winning goals.  In the ACC stats, Gummersall ranked third in points, tied for third in goals, third in points per game (1.42) and fourth in goals per game (0.62).

Gummersall, a native of Wilmette, Ill., played some of her best soccer at the end of the season as she notched goals in each of the four NCAA College Cup contests, while finishing the year with three multi-goal games.  In the final NCAA stats, Gummersall ranked 59th in points per game (1.42),  41st in goals per game (0.625) and 75th in goals per game (0.522). 

Senior Kelly McCann was given the Most Outstanding Defensive award, after helping guide the Blue Devils to 13 shutouts, which tied a Duke school record.  McCann started all 24 matches, while posting three assists on the year.  A product of Carlsbad, Calif., McCann concluded her career helping lead the Blue Devils to 41 shutouts.

Earning the Most Inspirational Player was senior Cassidy Powers, who is a product of San Ramon, Calif.  Powers patiently waited in the wings for three years behind former Duke star goalkeeper Allison Lipsher and played only five matches during her first three years.

As a senior, Powers started all 24 games, while tying a Blue Devil single-season record with nine shutouts.  She notched a 1.03 goals-against average and collected 83 saves.  Powers also helped lead Duke to 13 team shutouts, which tied a Duke single season record.  She did all of this after losing her father prior to the season.  Powers received All-Southeast Region accolades for her efforts.

Freshman Ashley Rape was named the Newcomer of the Year, after starting all 15 contests in her first year as a Blue Devil before suffering a torn ACL.  Rape, a product of Dallas, Texas, kicked off her collegiate career with two goals in the season opener against Coastal Carolina as the Blue Devils went on to notch a 9-0 victory.  She went on to finish the year with three goals and one assist, while leading Duke to eight shutouts in 15 matches.  On the season, Rape earned Freshman All-America accolades. 

Receiving the Coaches Award was senior Sheila Kramer, who is from Camp Hill, Pa.  Kramer played in all 24 matches in 2008 on the defensive end and was a key asset in Duke’s 13 shutouts on the year.  She posted two assists and helped lead a Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser during the North Carolina contest in October.

As a team, Duke advanced to the 2008 NCAA College Cup quarterfinals for the second straight year and notched a 15-6-3 record.  The Blue Devils finished No. 9 in the national rankings under Head Coach Robbie Church.

2008 Awards
Newcomer of the Year: Ashley Rape
Most Inspirational Player: Cassidy Powers
Coaches Award: Sheila Kramer
Most Outstanding Offensive Player: KayAnne Gummersall
Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Kelly McCann
Most Valuable Player: KayAnne Gummersall