Dec. 7, 2007

GREENSBORO, N.C. - North Carolina's Rachel Dawson, the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year, has been selected as the 2007-08 Honda Sports Award winner for her play during the 2007 field hockey season. The honor for Dawson, who led the Tar Heels to a perfect 24-0 record this past year, marks the fifth year in a row and ninth overall in which an ACC player has won the prestigious award.

Dawson, a senior from Berlin, N.J., was the driving force behind the Tar Heels' potent attack during the 2007 season. She led her team, and the league, in goals (19) and shots (118), and was the ACC's second leading point-scorer in 2007. She also patrolled a UNC defense that led the conference and the nation in scoring margin, shutouts and goals against average.

With Dawson on the field in 2007, UNC posted one of the greatest seasons in ACC history, recording 16 wins against ranked teams and 16 shutouts. On their way to the title, the Tar Heels claimed their 16th ACC championship. Led by Dawson, the team outscored its opponents in the NCAA tournament by a count of 12-2, including a 3-0 win in the title game in which the outstanding defender scored her 19th goal.

In addition to the Honda Award, Dawson also garnered first-team All-ACC honors, and was named first-team All-South region and All-America by the NFHCA.

With the Honda Sports Award, Dawson will be automatically nominated for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year Award along with the winners of the award in each of the 12 NCAA-sanctioned women's sports.

2007-08 Honda Sports Award Winner
Rachel Dawson, North Carolina

2007-08 Honda Sports Award Field Hockey Nominees:
Jen Long (Penn State)
Katie O'Donnell (Maryland)
Pam Spuehler (Boston University)