Nicole Whitley Named to TDS Freshman Best XI Team
Dec 15 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers women's soccer freshman midfielder Nicole Whitley was named to TopDrawerSoccer.com's Freshman Best XI Second Team after her exceptional campaign for the Scarlet Knights. She was also named Big Ten Rookie of the Year, was tabbed to Third Team All-Big Ten and placed on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Whitley started all 23 matches this past season and led the team in assists with 10 while also scoring three goals. She tallied the most assists for a freshman in Rutgers history and tied for the fifth-most overall in a single season. Her 10 assists tied for the lead among Big Ten players.
Several other players were honored by TopDrawerSoccer.com this season. Senior defender Erin Smith was named to their Team of the Week back in September. Whitley and Smith joined junior forward Colby Ciarrocca and rookie Amanda Visco in TopDrawerSoccer.com Midseason Top 100 back in October.
In addition, Whitley was also selected for the final U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team camp of the year from Dec. 10-17 in Carson, California. This is the seventh and last U.S. U-18 WNT event of 2016 as this group will move to the U-20 level next year to begin a two-year cycle. Three of this year's U-18 events were trips to Europe and this is the fourth domestic training camp.
U.S. Soccer Women's Development Coach Jitka Klimkova named 26 players to the camp roster which features a mixture of college and youth club players, as well as one player playing in Europe. There are 14 collegiate players in camp, all of whom recently completed their seasons.
U.S. U-18 WNT Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Shelby Hogan (Providence; Franklin, Mass.), Kaylan Marckese (Florida; St. Petersburg, Fla.), Mandy McGlynn (Virginia Tech; Jacksonville, Fla.)
DEFENDERS (8): Kerry Abello (Eclipse Select; Batavia, Ill.), Malia Berkely (Florida State; Liberty Township, Ohio), Sydney Dawson (Internationals SC; Akron, Ohio), Samantha Hiatt (Boston College; Newcastle, Wash.), Julie Mackin (Clemson; Castle Rock, Colo.), Tara McKeown (San Diego Surf; Newbury Park, Calif.), Zoe Morse (Michigan Hawks; East Lansing, Mich.), Karlie Paschall (Tennessee Soccer Club; Brentwood, Tenn.)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Samantha Coffey (New York SC; Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.), Tierna Davidson (Stanford; Menlo Park, Calif.), Jordan Harr (Texas Tech; Sachse, Texas), Taylor Kornieck (Colorado; Henderson, Nev.), Shea Moyer (FC Revolution; Wyomissing, Penn.), Viviana Villacorta (Beach FC; Lawndale, Calif.), Natalie Winters (Iowa; Evergreen, Colo.), Nicole Whitley (Rutgers; Freehold, N.J.)
FORWARDS (7): Amirah Ali (PDA; Voorhees, N.J.), Belle Briede (Tophat SC; Alpharetta, Ga.), Ceilia Gee (Lamarinda United; Orinda, Calif.), Mireya Grey (Crossfire; Seattle, Wash.), Abigail Kim (Pacific Northwest SC; Vashon, Wash.), Courtney Strode (Vaxjo DFF; Oceanside, Calif.), Kelsey Turnbow (SC Del Sol; Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (Rutgers Athletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's soccer, follow the program on Facebook (Rutgers Women's Soccer), Twitter (@RUWSoccer) and Instagram (@RUWSoccer). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
