Cross Named Boston University's Female Athlete of the Year
May 15, 2001 | Women's Soccer
Megan Cross, who helped spearhead the Terrier women's soccer team to its second straight America East championship and second straight NCAA tournament appearance, has been named Boston University's Female Athlete of the Year.
Cross, from Pembroke, Mass, received the Mildred Barnes Award at the athletic department's end of the year banquet. She is the second straight women's soccer player to be named the University's top female athlete as former All-American Deirdre Enos was similarly honored last year.
During the 2001 season, Cross was the leader of the Terrier defense that allowed just 26 goals in 21 games. It was this tenacious defense that played a key role in the team posting a 14-6-1 overall record. In America East Conference play, the Terriers were 10-0-1 as they improved their two year-conference record to 19-0-1.
Then, in last fall's post-season tournament, B.U. blanked Delaware, 1-0, in the semifinals and Hartford, 2-0, in the title game. It was because of her outstanding play that Cross was named the tournament's MVP. In all, during the season, the Terriers shut out 10 opponents, just one short of the school record, while they allowed just four goals in their 11 conference games.
Tournament MVP was one of a myriad of awards that Cross garnered this past year. In addition, for the second straight year, she was First Team All-Northeast Region as selected by the National Soccer Coaches Association. She was also First Team All-New England, First Team All-Conference for the third time in her career, and the team Defensive MVP for the third straight year.
An outstanding student, as well, she was voted Second Team Verizon-CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-American. She was also on the America East Commissioner's Honor Roll.
"Megan is the definition of a successful student-athlete," said Terrier head coach Nancy Feldman. "Certainly, her accomplishments in the classroom speak for themselves while she became a dominant, impact soccer player in our conference. I was as happy to see her recognized as an Academic All-American as I was to see her recognized as the MVP of our conference tournament.
"It was this combination of intelligence and athletic skill that made her such an outstanding player," the coach went on. "She was physical on the field when she needed to be but she also played with her brain.
"Her technical ability enabled her to slow the action down and control the game," said Feldman. "That's why she never looked rushed or flustered and she never panicked. As a result, she was always a calming influence on the team.
"I think it's a great credit to Megan and the success of our program that she was voted the University's female athlete of the year. Normally, defenders, who don't amass all those impressive numbers, don't get recognized. So, Megan's selection is doubly noteworthy."
