Former Shorecrest Soccer Star Named U.S. Player Of Year

Michelle Akers-Stahl has grown used to earning recognition for her ability to play soccer. But she never has come to expect it.

The Shorecrest High School graduate was surprised when the United States Soccer Federation recently named her its 1990 Female Athlete of the Year.

``I've never played soccer for the awards,'' Akers-Stahl, 24, said. ``If someone recognizes me for it, that's wonderful.

``I knew I was having a good year, but I never put it in that context.''

A four-time All-American at the University of Central Florida, Akers-Stahl just finished her second season at the school as an assistant coach.

During her summer with the U.S. National women's team, she scored 14 goals in 11 games. This was the first summer Akers-Stahl played with the national team in two years.

``She was out of the lineup for the past couple seasons because of injury and we weren't the same team without her,'' U.S. Coach Anson Dorrance said in an USSF release announcing Akers-Stahl's selection. ``When she returned, she not only brought back what we previously had, she added more because she improved as a player.

``Michelle has an insatiable scoring mentality and she is an intimidating physical presence. She also has tremendous desire and that is what has allowed her to play at such a high level.''

Akers-Stahl led the U.S. to the North America Cup championship in August. The U.S. beat four opponents, including the Soviet Union, England and West Germany by a combined score of 18-0. Akers-Stahl scored seven of the goals.

West Germany was ranked No. 1 in the world going into the championship game of the Cup. Akers-Stahl scored two goals to spark a 3-0 victory.

``That was just an awesome feeling,'' she said. ``That was the best time I've had playing soccer.''

She also led the North team to the championship in the 1990 Olympic Festival in Blaine, Minn., scoring five goals in four games.

This is not the first time Akers-Stahl has won national player-of-the-year honors. She was selected the collegiate Player of the Year in 1988, and has been on numerous All-America teams.

Akers-Stahl said that, although she had a tremendous offensive tournament, she has learned to back off.

``I used to be known for being something of a kamikaze on the field. But because of injuries, I've learned to pick my spots. It doesn't pay to win the ball, but spend the rest of the game on the sidelines.

``I've had some injuries, and that's helped me understand some things. I want to play another six years, until I'm 30, so I have to take a little better care of myself.''

Akers-Stahl, at 5-feet-10 and 150 pounds the most prolific scorer in the history of the University of Central Florida, plans to play in Germany beginning in February and will join the U.S. team again as it attempts to qualify for the women's World Cup, scheduled for Canton, China in November 1991.

Hendersons lead UCLA

-- Chris Henderson, a member of the United States World Cup team last summer, was a key player for UCLA's national championship men's soccer team.

Henderson, from Everett's Cascade High School, scored the winning goal, unassisted, against Southern Methodist in the quarterfinals and scored in the deciding shootout in both the semifinals and finals.

Henderson, a sophomore, was an integral part of the Bruins' attack during the tournament, coming back after missing two months of the season with a stress fracture in his foot.

Henderson's younger brother, Sean, came off the UCLA bench to contribute to the national title.

Chris Henderson will rejoin the U.S. National team next Wednesday for a game against Portugal.