Nov. 28, 2007

Columbia, Mo. - Missouri Tiger freshman Alysha Bonnick (North Gower, Ontario) has enjoyed one of the best seasons by a Tiger freshman in program history. Earlier this month, Bonnick was named the Big 12 Rookie of the Year, the first player of the year award the Tiger soccer program has received. She now has two more reasons to celebrate her first season at Mizzou; she was selected to the Top Drawer Soccer All-Rookie first team and she finished the season with the most assists (10) in the Big 12. In early December, she was named one of the 14 finalists for the Soccer Buzz National Freshman of the Year award.

Bonnick, who finished the season with 11 goals and 10 assists, both new Mizzou freshmen records, helped Mizzou earn 13 wins in 2007, their second-highest total in program history. The Tigers also finished in a tie for third place in the Big 12, tying their highest conference finish ever. The Tigers made the NCAA Championship for the third time, and advanced to the second round for only the second time in program history. Bonnick's 10th assist came on the only goal Mizzou scored in their two NCAA games.

In the latest NCAA statistical rankings, which include games through Dec. 2, Bonnick's 0.45 assists per game average puts her in 35th, nationally. She is fifth among freshmen.