The Morehead State soccer team had three individuals achieve the highest Ohio Valley Conference honors, which were announced November 6 at the championship banquet.
Junior forward Jade Flory was named Offensive Player of the Year, freshman forward Angela Black was tabbed Freshman of the Year and Head Coach Warren Lipka was named Co-Coach of the Year. The league's coaches and sports information personnel are responsible for voting for the awards.
Flory is the third MSU player to be named Offensive Player of the Year and is the first since 2010, when Erin Adams received the honor.
"Jade has been dynamic throughout the OVC portion of the schedule," Lipka said. "She is a true attacking player, and I am extremely pleased she has been recognized."
Black is Morehead State's first Freshman of the Year since 2008, when Jillian Birchmeier was named both Co-Offensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year.
"I feel like we have only scratched the surface in what Angela can do," Lipka added. "I think explosive is the best way to describe the type of player she is."
Lipka shared the coaching accolade with Eastern Illinois Interim Head Coach Jason Cherry. It marks the third Coach of the Year honor for Lipka in his five seasons at Morehead State. He was also named Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2010. The Eagles were picked to finish eighth in the preseason but earned the No. 2 seed in the tournament after failing to qualify a season ago.
"I am very grateful for this honor," Lipka said. "It can't happen though unless we have a great team and support staff. This is really a team award."
Flory leads the OVC with five game-winning goals. She ranks second in the league in goals (13) and third in assists (5). The Chambersburg, Pa., native scored her first collegiate hat trick (three goals) in the 4-0 victory over Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 1. Flory has collected OVC Offensive Player of the Week honors four times this season. The Youngstown State transfer is now tied for the MSU single-season school record for game-winning goals, and ranks third in both goals and points.
Black ranks second on the team with four goals and four assists. The St. Louis native has two game-winners to her credit. Black scored the first goal of her collegiate career in a 5-2 victory over Southeast Missouri and followed it up with her second just 18 seconds later. For her efforts, Black was named OVC Offensive Player of the Week.
MSU opens postseason play on Friday (November 8) at 8 p.m. when it takes on the winner of No. 3 seed Southeast Missouri and No. 6 Austin Peay. The Eagles are 2-0 against their possible semifinal opponents.
All matches at the OVC Soccer Championship will be featured on the OVC Digital Network. Updates may also be found on MSU Athletics' official Twitter page (@MSUAthletics).
