BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

Amy Burlingham, a Newport Harbor High product, has enjoyed a rather sweet month, thus far, capped by a memorable time on Saturday.

That was when she was joined by family for her graduation at the University of Texas, where fireworks went off and a tower lit up with the numbers “07” in that trademark burnt orange color.

Burlingham, who was a standout soccer player for the Longhorns, also enjoyed a great day on May 1, when she received the 2006-07 Big 12 Conference Scholar-Athlete Award. The honor is given to the senior who exhibits the greatest combination of performance in athletics, academics and community achievement.

Burlingham held a 3.83 GPA as a psychology/kinesiology and health education major. The All-Big 12 stanr, a four-year letterwinner, holds the school record for career matches played (91) and is third in career assists (25). Named to the National Soccer Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete All-South Team, Burlingham was also an Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection the last three years.

She credited her ability to stay injury-free to playing 91 matches for the Longhorns.

But there were other reasons, too.

“I worked hard and I was able to beat other people who came in,” Burlingham said in a phone interview Tuesday. “When you go through the recruiting process, you always set goals to contribute to the program. I was able to do that, which is kind of nice. It was fulfilling.”

Burlingham, who was known for her top-notch speed, was also proud Texas had such a successful season in her senior year.

The Longhorns ended the season with an overall record of 18-4-3, the best season since the program started in 1994. As 2006 Big 12 women’s soccer tournament champion, Texas set the school record for wins (18) and road victories with seven.

They were also a top seed in the NCAA tournament, also a first for the Texas program.

The Longhorns were ranked No. 5, ending their season with a 2-0 loss to defending national champion Portland in the third round.

The match was played in front of 1,932 fans at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.

“It was a good feeling to end on a good note,” Burlingham said.

Burlingham earned undergraduate degrees in psychology and kinesiology.

In July, she plans to move to San Jose, where she said she will work in sales for a medical services company. Before that, she will vacation in Europe.

— Steve Virgen