May 4, 2010

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Three University of Missouri women's soccer players were honored at the second annual ROARS Awards Show, held at Mizzou Arena on Monday night.

Senior Kristin Andrighetto earned the female highlight of the year for her two-goal performance against Kansas at the 2009 Big 12 Championship. The three-time All-Big 12 first team selection tied the match with a goal in the second half and then won the game in sudden-death overtime with a 25-yard shot just under the crossbar to secure a spot in the semifinals.

Junior Kelsey Stokes received the Varsity M Female Athlete of the Year award, given by the Varsity M Association to a student-athlete who best excels in both athletics and academics. A communications major, Stokes was an academic All-Big 12 first team selection in 2008 and was named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll last spring. She also serves as a Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) co-vice president.

Rounding out the recognitions, junior Krista Kruse was voted for the female unsung hero award, an honor given to a student-athlete who displays outstanding leadership. The Fort Collins, Colo., native started in all 21 games for the Tigers in the fall and was recently invited to the United States under-23 women's national team training camp in Oregon.

In addition to the award winners, four more players from the Big 12 champions soccer program were announced as finalists for ROARS categories. Those were: senior Michelle Collins (female We Are Mizzou award), senior Bree Thornton (Director of Athletics leadership award), senior Crystal Wagner (female athlete of the year), and sophomore Mallory Stipetich (Dr. Judith A. Wells female athletic achievement award).

Collins, the SAAC secretary, also took the stage as presenter of the Professor of the Year award, given to Dr. Barbara McLay based on Collins' nomination.

Photos of the night's festivities, including a red carpet entrance and student-athlete dance, can be found mutigers.com photo galleries.