TicketsCINCINNATI - The state winners of the Gatorade Player of the Year Awards for girls soccer were announced Monday, June 18, with Brandi Thomsen, an incoming freshman for the University of Cincinnati women's soccer program, being named the state of Wisconsin winner. With the award, which is given to the top players in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Thomsen is now eligible to earn the Gatorade National Player of the Year Award.
Thomsen has been one of the top players for Brookfield Central High School and, just last weekend (June 16), she helped her side secure the Wisconsin state title for the second year in a row with a 2-0 score in the state final. Recently selected first team all-conference for the third year in a row, Thomsen and her teammates also won their fourth-consecutive Greater Metro Conference title this season before their march to the state crown. Thomsen, the 2018 Journal Sentinel Female Player of the Year, scored 15 goals and added eight assists in her senior season.
With the accolade, Thomsen will be the second Gatorade Player of the Year Head Coach Neil Stafford has brought into the program since taking over in time for the 2013 season. Prior to the start of that campaign, Stafford brought in transfer Haleigh Hoff, who transferred in from Kentucky after her freshman season. Hoff was named the West Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year in 2012 after a stellar senior season with Winfield High School (Winfield, W.Va.).
To be eligible for the Gatorade honor, which has been awarded since 1985, players are evaluated and selected based on three criteria: athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character. Along with her athletic plaudits, Thomsen maintained a 4.33 GPA in the classroom while volunteering her time locally on behalf of youth summer camps and within her church community.
Overall, the Gatorade program honors 12 sports with state players of the year being selected annually across football, volleyball, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball and boys and girls track & field. After the state honors, one national award winner from each of the 12 sports will be recognized. For more information on the Gatorade program, click HERE.
Thomsen has been one of the top players for Brookfield Central High School and, just last weekend (June 16), she helped her side secure the Wisconsin state title for the second year in a row with a 2-0 score in the state final. Recently selected first team all-conference for the third year in a row, Thomsen and her teammates also won their fourth-consecutive Greater Metro Conference title this season before their march to the state crown. Thomsen, the 2018 Journal Sentinel Female Player of the Year, scored 15 goals and added eight assists in her senior season.
With the accolade, Thomsen will be the second Gatorade Player of the Year Head Coach Neil Stafford has brought into the program since taking over in time for the 2013 season. Prior to the start of that campaign, Stafford brought in transfer Haleigh Hoff, who transferred in from Kentucky after her freshman season. Hoff was named the West Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year in 2012 after a stellar senior season with Winfield High School (Winfield, W.Va.).
To be eligible for the Gatorade honor, which has been awarded since 1985, players are evaluated and selected based on three criteria: athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character. Along with her athletic plaudits, Thomsen maintained a 4.33 GPA in the classroom while volunteering her time locally on behalf of youth summer camps and within her church community.
Overall, the Gatorade program honors 12 sports with state players of the year being selected annually across football, volleyball, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball and boys and girls track & field. After the state honors, one national award winner from each of the 12 sports will be recognized. For more information on the Gatorade program, click HERE.