Carducci, Lawrence named 2012 Canadian U-17 Players of the Year

Canadian teenagers Marco Carducci and Ashley Lawrence have been named Canadian U-17 Players of the Year for the 2012 soccer season. The two stars were honoured in a vote shared by national-team coaches (50%) and other Canadian coaches (50%).

Carducci is a member of Canada’s men’s U-17 team, having taken part in three national projects in 2012. He saw action in eight international matches, including shutout victories over Costa Rica and Panama. He was Canada’s Player of the Match in the 1:0 win over Panama at Estadio Rommel Fernandez on 25 November 2012.

Goalkeeper Carducci of Calgary, AB is a member of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency program. In 2011-12, he helped the Whitecaps finish first in the Western Conference of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy League.

“It was terrific for Marco to show such great work ethic during our national projects,” said Sean Fleming, Canada’s men’s U-17 coach. “I hope this honour serves as an encouraging moment for him to continue to work hard and become a great player.”

Lawrence was captain of Canada’s women’s U-17 team, helping Canada qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for a third-consecutive biennial cycle. In May, she won a silver medal at the CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala. She earned Canada’s Player of the Match honours in the championship match (an 0:1 loss to USA). She then wore the captain’s armband for all four Canada matches at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Azerbaijan 2012.

Midfielder Lawrence of Caledon East, ON, a two-time winner, plays for the Erin Mills Mighty Eagles. Just before the close of 2012, she earned her first-ever call-up to the national “A” team (a camp that opens this week in Vancouver, BC).

“Ashley is player that continues to excel on a yearly basis,” said Bryan Rosenfeld, Canada’s women’s U-17 coach. “Her passion and commitment towards the game and her country is contagious. As she continues to grow as a player and person, I can only see her achieving the highest level within the national program.”

Tomorrow (Monday), the Canadian Soccer Association will announce the 2012 Canadian U-20 Players of the Year. On Tuesday (female) and Wednesday (male), the Association will announce the 2012 BMO Canadian Players of the Year.

CANADIAN U-17 PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
2012 – Marco Carducci & Ashley Lawrence
2011 – Bryce Alderson & Ashley Lawrence
2010 – Bryce Alderson & Diamond Simpson
2009 – Russell Teibert & Abigail Raymer
2008 – Russell Teibert & Monica Lam-Feist
2007 – Olivier Lacoste-Lebuis & Monica Lam-Feist

2012 FINAL LIST
Male Nominees (born 1996 or later) from the Men’s U-17 team
1. Marco Carducci (36.5)
2. Marco Bustos (20.1)
3. Ian Fernandes (19.7)
4. Jordan Hamilton (10.0)
5. Hanson Boakai (7.0)
6. Kianz Gonzales-Froese (4.3)
7. Mikaël Cantave (2.2)

Female Nominees (born 1995 or later) from the Women’s U-17 team
1. Ashley Lawrence (44.6)
2. Kadeisha Buchanan (18.1)
3. Summer Clarke (16.4)
4. Valérie Sanderson (8.2)
4. Kailen Sheridan (8.2)
6. Nichelle Prince (3.0)
7. Rebecca Quinn (1.4)