Jonelle Filigno Nominated for Canadian Player of the Year
Dec 01 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Dec. 1, 2010) – Rutgers women’s soccer redshirt freshman Jonelle Filigno (Mississauga, ON, Canada) has been nominated for the Canadian Player of the Year award, the Canadian Soccer Association’s top prize. The forward has also been selected in the U20 Player of the Year running.
“I am very humbled at this nomination and thankful to all my teammates that have helped me get to this point,” said Filigno. “It is such an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to represent your country at any time. It's an opportunity that not many people get, so I am truly grateful to be able to compete at the highest level and play against some of the best players in the world. I'm excited to continue learning and developing at this level. The best part is that I'm doing something I love so much.”
Filigno helped Canada to its second CONCACAF title last month, qualifying the squad for the 2011 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The All-BIG EAST Second Team honoree tallied 11 points on four goals and three assists as Canada went 5-0 in the qualifying tournament.
In 2008, Filigno was named Canadian Soccer Association’s U20 Female Player of the Year. The forward scored four goals to earn a gold medal with the U20 team at the 2008 CONCACAF Women’s U20 Championship and also played in the 2008 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Chile, scoring one goal in three games.
Canadian media and coaches will be asked to select the Canadian Female Player of the Year. The award will celebrate Canada’s top soccer player in recognition of their 2010 achievements with both the national team and their respective club teams.
On Monday at the Frankfurt Congress Centre, No. 9 Canada learned its fate, as it will face host and second-seeded Germany to kick off the FIFA World Cup on June 26 at the Berlin Olympiastadion.
“It’s always a challenge playing the host country in front of their home crowd, never mind being the opening match of the World Cup,” said Filigno. “It’s something we are going to have to be well prepared for. We are going to be nervous, but they will be too. Germany is always a tough opponent, but with the right preparation and mentality, we hope to come out on top.”
