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March 5, 2003

Heather O'Reilly is the 2002 Gatorade National High School Girl's Soccer Player of the Year

Heather O'Reilly was named the 2002 Gatorade National High School Girl's Soccer Player of the Year today. The award recognizes athletic achievement and overall character and O'Reilly, a member of the National Honor Society with a 3.7 GPA is a worthy recipient. She finished high school with 136 goals,and was the NSCAA High School player of 2002.

Her performance in the first Under-19 FIFA World Championship impressed all who watched her play. Women's Soccer World believes that she has the potential of developing into a player who could out perform the legendary Michelle Akers. Because of the standards set by the role models of the first World Champion National Team in 1991, the members of that first Under-19 World Champion National Team of 2002 are already at a higher level of soccer savvy then any of the national team players in the last eleven years were at that young age.

O'Reilly scored 18 goals in 18 Under-19 international matches, and is eligible for next FIFA U-19 World Championship to be held in 2004.

O'Reilly has signed a letter of intent to attend the University of North Carolina.

"I have had such a great time during my high school years, and I owe my development as a person and a player to the people, coaches and teammates who have been around me and supported me from the beginning," said O'Reilly. "The last two years have been filled with amazing memories and experiences and I am so honored to receive this award. I just want to thank Gatorade for their great support of girl's soccer."

"Heather is an amazing person," said U.S. U-19 National Team Head Coach Tracey Leone. "There are so many facets of her life that are well beyond her years, but especially her commitment to excellence. I have been privileged to watch her development over the past few years and I know there are more great things ahead for her."