|
December 29, 2009
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BEST XI
Philly Soccer News, Independence honor local stars
 |
Villanova freshman Heidi Sabatura was named to the Philly Soccer News Bext XI, presented by the Philadelphia Independence.
Photo courtesy of Villanova Sports Information |
Player of the Year candidates Heidi Sabatura of Villanova, Christa Matlack of Bucknell and Danielle Toney of Penn State highlight the Philly Soccer News Women’s College Best XI presented by the Philadelphia Independence.
The Penn State Nittany Lions, who captured the Big XI title lead the selections with five, goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, defender Lexi Marton, midfielder Christine Nairn and forwards Katie Schoepfer and Toney.
Villanova and LaSalle each had two players selected: defender Kelly Egan and Sabatura for the Wildcats and defender Ally Kenney and midfielder Melanie Gamble from the Explorers. LaSalle’s Traci DePasquale also received an honorable mention.
All of the players will be invited to a Philadelphia Independence game at West Chester College this summer, where they will be honored in a pre-game ceremony.
The Men’s Best XI will be announced on Wednesday, and the Philly Soccer News college players of the year will be announced next week.
PHILLY SOCCER NEWS BEST XI presented by the PHILADELPHIA INDEPENDENCE
GK- Alyssa Naeher, Penn State—A third team All-America, Naeher posted 87 saves in 1,904 minutes for the Nittany Lions including seven solo shutouts, playing a part in all of the team's 11. She also won the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year Award
D- Lexi Marton, Penn State---Second team All Big Ten Selection had an immediate impact on Penn State’s backline as a freshman.
D- Kelly Eagan, Villanova--- Eagan led a Wildcat defense that has posted seven shutouts while outscoring opponents by a 31-20 margin. Also an offensive threat, she has a pair of game-winning goals against Virginia Tech and Seton Hall. She was a first team Big East selection.
D- Ally Kenney La Salle---Had a career year as a senior, with five goals and nine assists for 19 points and her third conference post season selection.
M- Christine Nairn, Penn State---An NSCAA All Regional selection, she won the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award and unanimous First Team All-Big Ten status. Nairn had 24 points, notching a team best 10 assists, while adding seven goals.
M- Melanie Gamble, La Salle--- Tallied seven goals and three assists for 17 points and was named second team Atlantic 10.
M- Jess Rothenheber, Penn--- Led the Quakers with five assists and added a goal for seven points this season. Named second team All-Ivy
F- Katie Schoepfer, Penn State--- Schoepfer notched career highs in points (37) and assists (9) while tallying a team and league-best 14 goals this season earning her Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year accolades.
F- Danielle Toney, Penn State--- Led the Nittany Lions with 12 goals and also had 6 assists for a total of 30 points. Was tied for the Big Ten lead in points with team mate Katie Schoepfer. Four of her goals were game winners, also tied for the Big Ten lead. She was a two time Big Ten Player of the Week honoree.
F- Christa Matlack, Bucknell--- Matlack was named Patriot League Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Year Matlack leads the league in both goals (9) and points (20) per game (16). She has been especially hot over the last month, as she has eight goals and two assists in her last eight games. In conference play Matlack logged two-goal games in victories over Lafayette, Navy and Holy Cross.
F- Heidi Sabatura, Villanova--- Sabatura is the first Villanova player to earn the Big East Rookie of the Year award. The freshman was named the Big East Rookie of the Week three times this season (Aug. 24, Sept. 7 and Sept. 28) and totaled 18 points, including seven goals. In 11 conference games, she had seven points, including three goals.
Honorable mention:
F-Jessica Fuccello, Penn--- Scored 16 goals this season, which tied a school record, and finished her career with 36 goals. Named first team All-Ivy.
F-Traci DePasquale, LaSalle---A first team A-10 selection, she scored 16 goals this season, which tied a school record, and finished her career with 36 goals.
|
