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For Immediate Release 17 April 2003
Southwest
Baptist’s Head Women’s Soccer Coach Peter McGovern
announced the transfer of the 2002 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Athletics Association Player of the Year, Ashley Munnelly,
for the fall of 2003.
“This is a massive day for the SBU women’s soccer
program,” McGovern said. “Ashley, without doubt,
is the best player in the MIAA, and she has proven it over
the last two years.”
Munnelly is transferring to the Bearcat squad after playing
two seasons at Missouri Southern in Joplin. Munnelly is a
2001 graduate of Kickapoo High School in Springfield.
The junior was No. 11 in the nation in goals scored per game
as a sophomore and was the No. 2 sophomore in that category.
Munnelly was also the No. 2 sophomore in the nation in total
total points and No. 12 overall. She led the MIAA in scoring
with 2.39 points per game in 2002. She was a unanimous pick
for First Team All-MIAA in 2002 and was named National Soccer
Coaches Association of America. Second Team All-Central Region.
In 2001, she was named Second Team All-MIAA as a freshman
as she led the conference in scoring with 2.11 points per
game. She tied the record for goals in a season during her
freshman campaign with 17.
She leads the MIAA in total points for a career (83) and in
career goals (36). She also leads the MIAA in single-season
goals scored with 19 and goals in a game with four. At Missouri
Southern, Munnelly holds single-season records in goals (19),
assists (six) and game-winning goals (six). She also holds
career records in goals (36), points (83), assists (11), multiple-goal
games (11), most “hat tricks” (4), consecutive games
scoring at least one goal (8) and game-winning goals (11).
“This speaks volumes about our program when we can attract
a player of her caliber, especially when she sought us out,”
McGovern said. “It is a tremendous fit for us. The fact
she is willing to come and sit out a year is indicative of
her character and desire to want to be a part of a program
that is moving forward. It is great to have the best player
Kickapoo has ever had to join our program. This gives us a
fantastic recruiting edge.”
Munnelly was a member of the MIAA Commissioner’s Academic
Honor Roll in 2002 and was named to the Verizon Academic All-District
VII Women’s Soccer Team. She is a member of Phi Chi,
an honorary society for psychology majors, and is a member
Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society.
“Ashley’s stellar work ethic and strong desire to
be the best she can possibly be is a special characteristic,”
McGovern said.
Since she is transferring within the MIAA, Munnelly will have
to sit out one season because of inter-conference transfer
legislation. She will be a junior in athletic eligibility
when she returns to the field in 2004. However, McGovern is
excited about the potential she will bring to the program.
“Ashley has a long way to improve to fulfill her potential,”
McGovern said. “For other teams, and for us, this is
frightening. This sends a signal to other MIAA soccer schools.
This is a tremendous day for SBU soccer.”
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