PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC defender Stephanie Catley has been awarded the Australia W-League Young Player of the Year Award for a second consecutive year, it was announced Monday. Catley, 20, captained the Melbourne Victory to their first W-League title in February.
The Australian international made her debut with Melbourne at the age of 15 in 2009 and was named the team's captain prior to the 2013-14 season. After two consecutive seasons reaching the W-League semifinals, the Victory captured the league's championship this season, defeating the Brisbane Roar 2-0 in the Grand Final on Feb. 23, at Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne. Catley helped anchor a back line that allowed only 12 goals during the 12-game, regular-season schedule, while helping the squad register four shutouts. Catley has made 52 career appearances, scoring seven goals, for the Victory.
She is scheduled to join Thorns FC after participating in the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup with Australia; the tournament begins May 15.
