New Mexico Player of the Year to Play for Tiger Women's Soccer Team

San Antonio – The Gatorade New Mexico Girls Soccer Player of the Year, Jenni White, will join the Trinity University Tigers women’s soccer team in August.

White hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and played multiple positions at Albuquerque Academy.  She received the award from the Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN RISE.  The award honors athletic and academic excellence.  She is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year award, to be announced in May.

"I am very pleased to welcome Jenni to our family here at Trinity," said Trinity head coach Lance Key. "She is a wonderful individual with great character, and I feel she will have an immediate impact on not just our program, but on the entire campus and in the San Antonio community.  She represents so much of what we look for in a student-athlete."

White recorded nine goals and seven assists this past season, leading the Chargers to the New Mexico Class 4A championship, and earning distinction as the Class 4A Player of the Year.  She was also selected as one of seven top defenders nationally by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. The NSCAA also named White an All-American. A three-time First Team All-State honoree, White accounted for 53 goals and 32 assists during her high school career.

With a strong sense of community service, White has donated her time as a Special Olympics volunteer, and youth soccer instructor for underserved children. She has also volunteered at an Albuquerque food bank. An outstanding student-athlete, White has maintained an “A” average in the classroom.

"Her clear ability to play the game and make soccer decisions at a high level, as well as her incredible work ethic and determination to succeed, will enable her to continue her achievements at the collegiate level," continued coach Key.  "She's someone who possesses the ability to make everyone around her better, and we are all excited about that opportunity."

Coach Key led the team to a perfect 16-0-0 regular-season record, and won a fourth Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship this past fall. He was elected SCAC Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year for the third time. 

After finishing 18-0-1 and advancing to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals last season, the Tigers will return three of its top four scorers in 2010.  All-American and SCAC Defensive Player of the Year Danika Wright will lead the Tigers next fall, following a year in which the team was the top-ranked defensive team in Division III.  Wright will be joined by seven other returning All-SCAC performers, including SCAC Newcomer of the Year Lindsay Euers.