Kari Weniger to Serve as 2007 Navy Soccer Captain

Weniger was a 2004 Clearwater Central Catholic Graduate who played soccer at CCC as well as with youth teams at Oldsmar Soccer, Clearwater Chargers and the St. Pete Raiders

8/22/07

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Senior Kari Weniger (St. Petersburg, Fla.), an Academic All-American and the team's top returning point-producer off last season's record-setting Navy women's soccer team, has been elected team captain by her peers.

"It is a huge honor to be named captain," said Weniger, a three-year letterwinner whose balance as a play-maker and finisher has been an instrumental part of the Mids' success over the last several years. "We have a great group of women. They aren't just tremendous soccer players, but they are all-around good people.

"My job is to make sure the team has everything it needs to excel. That means talking to the coaches when conflicts arise between schedules or giving advice to the Plebes who are learning to balance soccer and the Naval Academy's many demands. We have a dedicated group of players and I will do anything I can to make sure that they have everything they need to be successful, both in soccer and in every day Naval Academy life."

Weniger is coming off her most successful season where she was tied as the team's third-leading scorer with 20 points on seven goals and six assists. She was was tied for eighth in the Patriot League in points per game (0.83) and seventh in assists per game (0.25). She was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 25 after firing in the game-winner in the Mids' 4-1 win over Albany and followed up two days later with a goal and a pair of assists in a win over Siena.

An exceptional student, Weniger was named a Second-Team Academic All-American and NSCAA/adidas All-East Scholar in 2006. Majoring in ocean engineering, she boasts a 3.97 cumulative grade-point average. She is ranked 18th in academic order of merit among 1,073 students in the Class of '08 and 27th overall (factoring in military performance). Weniger, who has achieved a 4.00 GPA in six of her seven semesters at the Academy, has appeared on the Superintendent's and Commandant's Lists five times.

"Kari has several of the characteristics necessary to succeed in the role of team captain - she's compassionate, she's diligent, she's approachable, she's fair and she's honest," said 15th-year Navy head coach Carin Gabarra. "She's experienced success on the field, in the classroom and within Bancroft Hall. Kari exhibits the highest levels of effort and sportsmanship and is a great role model as a teammate and for the young soccer players who come out on game day to support our team.

"Leadership has been an important part of our success over the years," added Gabarra. "It's important for our program to do the right thing whether it be on the field, in the classroom or in the Hall. All of those components are important to Kari, as well, and I'm confident she will lead the team with the respect of her peers."

The Mids kick off their season Aug. 31 when they meet Iowa in a neutral site contest played at the Northern Illinois Tournament in Dekalb, Ill. Navy's home opener is slated for Tuesday, Sept. 4 against Saint Peter's (7:00 pm). All kids (12 and younger) who wear a soccer jersey will receive free admission to the home opener. Additionally, fans can print out a coupon off www.NavySports.com (go to women's soccer page) and receive two tickets for the price of one for the Saint Peter's game.