Issue date: 11/12/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Megan Markham [Click to enlarge]

Sacramento State Hornets' Elece McBride (left) and Kim Kemper (right) celebrate a goal scored by forward Sarah Howard (center) against the Miami University Redhawks earlier this season. The Hornets beat the Redhawks 2-1. [Click to enlarge]

ESPN Magazine recently named Sacramento State women's soccer forward Kim Kemper to the second team District VIII academic all-region.

Kemper has earned the honor with a 3.9 GPA in liberal studies along with scoring six goals this season, 14 total in her career.

"It's really cool to get recognized for my hard work in the class room and as a student athlete," Kemper said.

The Sacramento-raised forward hails from local Bella Vista High School, where she earned Capital Athletic League first-team honors. Kemper admitted the transition of being a student athlete in high school to college was a challenge.

"During my freshman year, it was a big change," Kemper said. "It was hard trying to balance time, but I learned quickly."

Kemper's hard work on and off the field has also impacted the team according to Kemper's head coach, Randy Dedini.

"It's a great accomplishment to get recognized on and off the field," Dedini said. "It's just another example of the great character Kim has."

Kemper's hard work also positively impacts the team as a whole, said friend and teammate Missy Matzen.

"She brings a lot of energy to the team," said Matzen, who has played with Kemper on various teams. "She gives everything she has and I'm not surprised at all about her accomplishment."

Kemper has not only established a great individual reputation, but also has become a great ambassador for the Sac State women's soccer program, Dedini said.

"Kim is the type of player that we look for to recruit," Dedini said. "A player that works hard on and off the field, and someone who the younger players can look up to."

"I always say it, but I think the world would be a better place with more Kim Kemper's," Dedini said.

Sac State women's soccer also earned more individual honors on Nov. 5. Kim Kemper and senior defender Kara Taylor were named to the Big Sky Conference first team. This is Taylor's third time to earn first team honors, and Kemper's second time.

Taylor, the rock of the Hornet's backline, earned all-conference honors for the fourth straight time. Taylor ended her distinguished collegiate career by scoring her first career goal.

Scoring threat Kemper tied for the Big Sky's Golden Boot, scoring six goals and two assists for her junior campaign. Kemper is currently fifth in career goals scored in school history with one more season left.

Four more players earned honorable mention all-conference honors; Senior Sarah Howard, juniors Ashley Forbes and Christina Trenton, and sophomore Cori Shreve.

Howard finished her collegiate career with nine goals and seven assists from playing a total of 80 matches, where she is tied for the most games played in Sac State history.

Trenton earned honorable mention for the second straight year as she started in 17 matches for the Hornets.

The Hornets' second leading scorer, Ashley Forbes, scored four goals and notched three assists in 17 matches this season.

Sophomore midfielder Shreve scored her first career goal and started 14 matches this season as she earned her first all-Big Sky honors.

Despite an early exit in the Big Sky Tournament, these honors reflect the Sac State women's soccer team's progress in recruiting and developing talent. Soon to be senior Kemper is an example of home-grown talent that can help the women's soccer program, according to head coach Dedini.

"This shows why Kim is the hardest working player on our team," Dedini said.

Ronnie Nurss can be reached at rnurss@statehornet.com

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