Michele Bannister Named 2000 National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas National Junior College Player of the Year

Michele Bannister, sophomore midfielder for the Long Beach City College Women's Soccer team was named the 2000 NSCAA/adidas National Player of the Year. Bannister out of Canyon High School in Anaheim, helped lead her team to a (25-2) overall record and the Hyundai California Community College State Championship this season. The state title was the second in four years for Long Beach City College Women's Soccer. Bannister played an integral part in the championship game by scoring the tying goal in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime where Long Beach dominated play en route to their 2-1 victory over Santa Rosa College at the Lemoore Sports Complex. While at Long Beach City College, Bannister was named NSCAA/adidas First Team All-American twice as well as All-South Coast Conference First Team twice during her two seasons at Long Beach City. Bannister finishes her career at Long Beach City College with a total of 111 points (38 goals and 35 assists), third best in school history. Michele led the team in scoring this season with 55 points (19 goals and 17 assists) with two of those goals coming in the State Championship games. Her goal against Ohlone College was the game winner and put Long Beach City in the championship game against Santa Rosa.

Bannister's teams compiled an impressive overall record of (46-5-2) during her two seasons under the watchful eye of Head Coach Mauricio Ingrassia. Freshman defender Sarah Gibson out of Sonora High School in La Habra, was named NSCAA/adidas All-Far West while directing the Viking defense. Gibson was also named the State Tournament MVP, as well as earning the South Coast Conference Athlete of the Year while directing a defense that only allowed 9 goals in 27 games. Gibson was a force on the offensive side of the ball as well tallying 14 goals and 6 assists for a total of 36 points in her first season at Long Beach City College.

For more information contact Ben Chase, Long Beach City College Sports Information Director, at (562) 938-4243 or through e-mail: lbccsid@lbcc.cc.ca.us