Wilburn named SEC freshman of the week

FAYETTEVILLE – Freshman Abbey Wilburn of the University of Arkansas Lady Razorback soccer team was named the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Week following her first career goal and game-winning assist in Arkansas’ 2-1 victory at Alabama on Sunday afternoon.

Wilburn’s honor is the first Freshman of the Week honor ever received by an Arkansas soccer player since the SEC instituted the award at the beginning of the 2005 season. The award is also the first SEC weekly honor that a Lady Razorback has won since Sarah Gwisdala was named offensive player of the week on Sept. 28, 2004.

“This is a well deserved honor for Abbey,” Arkansas head coach Gordon Henderson said. “She has been an integral part of our team throughout the year and to see her get her first goal and play such an outstanding game was incredibly satisfying as a coach. I congratulate Abbey on the accomplishment.”

Wilburn’s goal in the 37th minute of Arkansas’ game with the Crimson Tide came off a right footed laser that she struck from outside the penalty area and hopped into the left side of the goal to tie the game at one. Wilburn’s career-best three-point day was capped by her assist in the 78th minute when she fed Gwisdala on a give-and-go at the top of the penalty area.

On the year, Wilburn has scored one goal and assisted on four others for six points which currently sits third on Arkansas’ scoring charts this season. Her four assists is tied for first among the Lady Razorbacks in 2005 and ranks fourth in Arkansas 20-year history for assists by a freshman.

The Lady Razorbacks are back in action next Friday night when they travel to the University of South Carolina in another match that could shape Arkansas’ post-season hopes. For more information about Lady Razorback soccer or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.