Spotlight: Danielle Fotopoulos, Soccer
Posted: Thursday February 11, 1999 12:48 PM
| |
Fotopoulos hopes to score a spot on the Women's World Cup roster. Bob Rosato |
Born: March 24, 1976 in Camp Hill,
Pa.
Residence: Altamonte Springs,
Fla.
Upcoming Event: The Women's World All-Star Match, Feb. 14, 1999, San
Jose, Calif.
Worth Watching Because: Fotopoulos is coming off a dream season at the
University of Florida during which she set the all-time NCAA career-goals mark
(118) and knocked in the winning goal in the NCAA championship game, shocking
the University of North Carolina and ending the Tar Heels' 70-game win streak.
At the U.S. National Team's residential training camp in Orlando --where
Fotopoulos is vying for a spot on the Women's World Cup roster-- the 5' 11'
forward is making a strong impression with her power, speed and smart
ball-handing.
Fotopoulos began her college career in 1994 at SMU, where she played under her
maiden name, Danielle Garrett. The following season she led all Division I
scorers with 32 goals, took the Mustangs to their first-ever Final Four and was
named Southwest Conference Player of the Year. In June 1996 she married George
Fotopoulos, the women's soccer coach at the University of Tampa, and transferred
to Florida where she became the Gators' all-time leader in goals-scored (65) and
twice earned SEC Player of the Year honors. In early 1997, Fotopoulos tore her
right ACL, but the two-time All-America returned to action with the U.S.
National Team six months later.
Up against roster shoo-ins like Mia Hamm and Michelle Akers at the forward
position, Fotopoulos' quest to make the World Cup team is especially tough. So
far, though, it seems that playing among the best has only elevated Fotopoulos'
game and increased her chances of being tapped to help the U.S. take on the
world.
Greatest Success: Being named to the U.S. National Team roster that will
face the FIFA World All-Stars.
Quote/Unquote: "Even if I don't reach all my goals, I've gone higher
than I would have if I hadn't set any."
Cool Fact: Fotopoulos was a six-sport varsity athlete at Lyman High
School in Longwood, Fla. She was a conference singles champion in tennis, earned
all-state honors in swimming and led the girls' basketball and cross-country
teams to district and state championships, respectively, and lettered in track
and field. Lyman's soccer team won three state titles during her varsity career.
Come back soon for a new women's sports Spotlight.
| 
