SEATTLE, WA– Seattle Reign FC head coach and general manager Laura Harvey has been named the NWSL Coach of the Year for the 2014 season.

Washington Spirit coach Mark Parsons finished second in the voting, with FC Kansas City coach Vlatko Andonovski – the 2013 NWSL Coach of the Year – coming in third.

“This [achievement] is a reflection of this team’s hard work. Both from a player’s perspective and back room staff,” said head coach and general manager Laura Harvey. “I’m just happy the club’s hard work has got us to this point.”

Harvey, 34, guided Reign FC to a record-breaking season during which the club established new NWSL single-season marks for points (54), wins (16), goal difference (+30), goals scored (50) and goals against average (0.83) on their way to claiming the 2014 NWSL Shield for the best regular-season record.

The Nuneaton, England native and her club were able to accomplish these feats just one year removed from finishing the 2013 NWSL season in seventh and missing out on the playoffs by 18 points.

In addition to the single-season marks, Harvey and Seattle also set new NWSL records for most consecutive wins, with seven straight victories from April 13 through May 14 to start the season – which FC Kansas City matched later in the season.

Reign FC also established a new record for the most consecutive games without a loss as they went unbeaten in the first 16 matches of the year before a 1-0 loss on July 12 to the Chicago Red Stars at Benedictine University Sports Complex in Lisle, Ill.

That defeat and a 1-0 setback on the final day of the regular season against Portland Thorns FC were the only losses suffered all year by Harvey and Reign FC, who clinched the NWSL Shield with four games to play following a 4-1 road victory on July 30 over the Houston Dash at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Harvey’s squad also finished the regular season with an undefeated 8-0-4 home record at the Moda Pitch at Memorial Stadium this season.

“I am so happy that Laura has been recognized for her incredible work this season – it is a well-deserved honor,” said Reign FC owner Bill Predmore. “Laura has been a brilliant leader both on and off the field. We feel lucky to have her as part of our organization.”

Seattle Reign FC will return to action against FC Kansas City in the 2014 NWSL Championship Game on Sunday, August 31 at 12 p.m. (PT) at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Wash.

The NWSL awards are voted on by a selection of journalists that cover the league on a consistent basis, team officials and NWSL players.

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