OLATHE, Kan. - Clare Sykes of Martin Methodist College (Tenn.) has been named the 2005 Brine/NAIA Women's Soccer Player of the Year, as selected by the NAIA Women's Soccer All-America Selection Committee.  The Brine/NAIA Coach of the Year will be announced January 20, 2006, in conjunction with the NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia, Pa.

Sykes, a sophomore from Huddersfield, England, led the RedHawks to their first national championship this year after a 1-0 victory against seventh-seeded Lee University (Tenn.).  The RedHawks also captured the Region XI championship while Sykes earned region player of the year honors as well as NAIA First-Team All-American honors.

Sykes scored ten goals and had eleven assists during the 2005 season.  Martin Methodist became just the second top-seeded team to win the national championship.  She was also named to the all-tournament team as Martin Methodist finished their season with a 23-1-1 record.

2005 NAIA All-America Teams