Milford Soccer Star Named Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year

Milford High School senior Morgan Andrews thought she was taking part in a dance routine, but was surprised to learn that the she was the main event.

Andrews joined her team in performing a dance routine to Mambo Number 5 during Wednesday’s gathering at the high school, but behind the curtain was a stage set for the Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year award winner.

She has been named Player of the Year three times by Gatorade.

“I want to thank all of my friends, my family, my trainers, my coaches, everybody,” said Andrews. “This means so much to me.”

The soccer star led the Spartans to a 16-3-1 record and their first Division II state title this past season. Her other athletic achievements include:

• 2012 National Soccer Coaches Association of America High School Player of the Year

• Three-time NSCAA All-American selection

Off the field, Andrews volunteers as a youth soccer coach and mentor, founded and promotes the “Kicks for Cans” charity program where coaches and players donate their time in exchange for canned goods and maintained a 3.13 GPA.

Andrews scored 31 goals and made 18 assists this past season. She is now heading to Notre Dame on an athletic scholarship.

Her coach, John Vlachos, said that Andrews is a truly talented athlete who works incredibly hard on and off the field. She is a team leader who will be greatly missed when she graduates this year.

“When i first saw her as a freshmen we knew she was a special player,” he said. “She has been a starter since day one.”

U.S. National Team Star and former Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year Heather O’Reilly was present to congratulate Andrews on her achievement.

“I really hope you can soak up this day, because it is truly special and is an incredible award,” she said. “I’m honored to pass the Gatorade player of the year torch to Morgan.”

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. In addition to athletic excellence, the award recognizes academic achievement and exemplary character on and off the field.

This year celebrates the program’s 28th anniversary. In that time, Gatorade has honored more than 12,500 State Players of the Year and 250 National Players of the Year, including many of today’s top professional athletes, such as Peyton Manning, Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Kerri Walsh, Derek Jeter, and Emmitt Smith.

Morgan Andrews will now attend the Gatorade Athlete of the Year award dinner, and have a shot at the Female Athlete of the Year Award. Morgan will attend the gatorade athlete of the year dinner, and walk the red carpet at the 2013 ESPYS.

For more information, visit www.gatorade.com/poy.