Savannah Jordan has single-handedly rewritten Florida history.
The freshman forward was named the Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year, the league announced Monday.
Jordan is the first freshman in SEC history to earn the honor, leading the team with 20 goals so far this season.
“It was definitely unexpected,” Jordan said of her success this season. “I came in here with the intentions just to play and help the team out in whatever way I could. It’s definitely an honor, and I’m thankful that it happened the way it did for me.”
The freshman also joins teammates Christen Westphal and Havana Solaun as All-SEC First Team selections.
“It’s a credit to the whole team,” coach Becky Burleigh said. “Us winning helps get people recognized, so I think the people that were recognized were very deserving.”
Jordan’s player of the year accolade marks the 13th time in program history a Gator earned a SEC Player of the Year honor.
She is also this week’s SEC Freshman of the Week, making it the third time this season she has earned the award.
The starting forward helped Florida clinch a share of the SEC regular season title, scoring two goals en route to a 5-1 win against Georgia to end the regular season.
As Florida heads to Orange Beach, Ala., for the 2013 SEC Tournament, Jordan will spearhead the Gators in their attempt to claim a second consecutive SEC Tournament Title.
Even while breaking numerous school records and raking in accolade after accolade, Jordan remains humble.
“My teammates have helped me out a lot,” Jordan said. “It has been a lot easier because of my teammates and how they set me up for goals. I can’t thank the team enough with all they’ve given me this season.”
Defender honored: In addition to being named an All-SEC First Team selection, sophomore center back Christen Westphal was named this week’s SEC Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.
Westphal has started every game this season at center back and leads the Gators with an average of 88.8 minutes per match.
She closed out the regular season as an offensive force, earning an assist on Jordan’s second goal against Texas A&M and scoring a goal off a 40-yard free kick to help boost Florida to a 5-1 victory over Georgia on Thursday.
“After the assist we were all joking that the next thing for me was a goal,” Westphal said. “I didn’t expect it to be so sudden, but it was good. I liked it.”
Follow Michelle Provenzano on Twitter @mmprovenzano.
Savannah Jordan dribbles the ball during Florida’s 2-0 win against Texas A&M on Oct. 27 in Gainesville. Jordan scored the game-winning goal in Florida's 1-0 win against Arkansas on Wednesday.
