Jan. 16, 2013

UCLA senior forward Zakiya Bywaters was named to Soccer America's MVP first team, marking the 11th consecutive year that UCLA has had at least one player selected.

Bywaters, the Pac-12 Player of the Year and a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, led the Pac-12 in scoring with 15 goals, 34 points and six game-winning goals. A consensus first-team All-American, she also earned first-team NSCAA All-America honors and was a first-team selection on Top Drawer Soccer's National Team of the Season. Additionally, she earned NSCAA All-Pacific Region and All-Pac-12 first-team honors for the second consecutive year. She was twice named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week and the Soccer America National Player of the Week in mid-September.

Soccer America MVPs First Team
G Haley Kopmeyer (Michigan), Sr.
F Zakiya Bywaters (UCLA), Sr.
M Daphne Corboz (Georgetown) Soph.
M Crystal Dunn (North Carolina), Jr.
D Alina Garciamendez (Stanford), Sr.
D Ines Jaurena (Florida State), Sr.
D Lindsi Lisonbee Cutshall (BYU), Sr.
F Caroline Miller (Virginia), Sr.
M Christine Nairn (Penn State), Sr.
F Kealia Ohai (North Carolina), Jr.
M Erika Tymrak (Florida), Sr.