Nov. 13, 2007
By Willie T. Smith III
Greenville News
Greenville, S.C. -- Anna Betton may not be the biggest soccer player in the Southern Conference, but she may be the most feared.
Betton, who led the Southern Conference in both scoring and assists, was named the league's player of the year. Three days later, she helped the Paladins claim the conference title in a 3-1 victory against regular-season champion UNC-Greensboro in the finals.
"I set goals, like to make the all-conference team or to score this many goals, but this is bigger than anything I could have imagined," said Betton, who stands 5-foot-1. "There are games where I thought I performed as good as I could have. But, as far as the team overall, I couldn't be happier. The chemistry is great.
"We get along on and off the field. We win the games we need to win. It's just been an amazing experience."
Betton led the Southern Conference in every major offensive category, scoring 13 goals and dishing out 10 assists to give her 36 points in 20 matches. She ranks sixth on Furman's career goals with 32, seventh in career points with 83 and has netted three game-winning goals this season.
More importantly, the Paladins have advanced to the NCAA championship playoffs, where they will face Tennessee in the first round on Friday.
Betton is the first Paladin soccer performer to earn league player of the year since Andre'a Morrison in 2003.
Betton was joined on the all-conference team by Paladin midfielder Rachel Frye. Senior midfielders Katie Tucker and Gena Villari earned second team all-conference, along with defenders Ashley Creavalle, Kate Myatt and Mickey Palanza.
The win against UNCG for the title was special to Betton.
"I literally live right across the street from the campus," Betton said. "I grew up on the campus. I'm very good friends with the coach and I was considering going to Greensboro. When we lost to them it's always very hard because the coach is always giving me hints like: `You should have come here.' For this to be my senior year, to be in the finals and beat Greensboro was more than I could have ever asked for."
Betton and the team watched Monday night's postseason selection show at Wild Wing in downtown Greenville, and were raring to go after finding out their opponent.
"This year, not only has Betton been a strong player but it's off the field that has made her so important," Furman coach Andrew Burr said. "Every team needs that central leader. Every team needs that one person they can go to. Anna has stepped up to be that person this season."
