Ali Named 2020-21 College Player Award of Distinction Recipient
Jun 10 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Senior captain Amirah Ali was named a United Soccer Coaches 2020-21 College Player Award of Distinction recipient, the organization announced Wednesday.
The new College Player Award of Distinction was established this spring for its member head coaches to submit deserving players based on achieving quality performance on the field and representing the highest ideals of team leadership. The recipients have also exhibited quality character attributes including sportsmanship and respect for teammates, opponents, officials and the game in general, as well as made other significant contributions to the benefit of the program and the community.
Ali adds the recognition to a growing list of accolades. The 2020-21 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and Senior CLASS Award finalist became the program's first ever three-time All-American with a First Team nod this season. The Voorhees, New Jersey, native was also named a First All-Big Ten and First Team All-Region selection this spring.
The forward captained the team to its second straight Big Ten semifinal this year and ninth straight NCAA Tournament. She led the team with 15 points (7g, 1a). Of Ali's team-high seven goals, four were gamewinners, including one in overtime to extend her program record to nine career golden goals.
The 2017 Big Ten Freshman of the Year has started 76 of 77 games since her arrival "On the Banks" in 2017, tallying a total of 77 career points (32g, 13a). Ali's name is etched across the Rutgers career and single-season charts. The Voorhees, New Jersey, native ranks fifth in career points (77), fifth in career goals (32), and fourth in career game winning goals (14).
In the classroom, the criminal justice major is an Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a Dean's List honoree. In the community, the two-time captain participates in various team initiatives, including the Bobadilla Summer Soccer Academy, holiday food and toy drives, and the RFund Thank-A-Thon.
While Ali participates in many community service events, Special Friends Day stands out the most and is something she really enjoys. An annual event held at the Cook/Douglass Recreation Center, Special Friends Day provides special needs youth ages 6 to 21 a day of fun with Rutgers University students. Ali loves getting to know her friend for the day and watching them have the best time there.
Following her final year of eligibility in Fall 2021, Ali will join the Portland Thorns in the NWSL, having been drafted by the club this past January.
Follow Rutgers women's soccer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Download the Scarlet Knights App for Apple or Android today.
The new College Player Award of Distinction was established this spring for its member head coaches to submit deserving players based on achieving quality performance on the field and representing the highest ideals of team leadership. The recipients have also exhibited quality character attributes including sportsmanship and respect for teammates, opponents, officials and the game in general, as well as made other significant contributions to the benefit of the program and the community.
Ali adds the recognition to a growing list of accolades. The 2020-21 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and Senior CLASS Award finalist became the program's first ever three-time All-American with a First Team nod this season. The Voorhees, New Jersey, native was also named a First All-Big Ten and First Team All-Region selection this spring.
The forward captained the team to its second straight Big Ten semifinal this year and ninth straight NCAA Tournament. She led the team with 15 points (7g, 1a). Of Ali's team-high seven goals, four were gamewinners, including one in overtime to extend her program record to nine career golden goals.
The 2017 Big Ten Freshman of the Year has started 76 of 77 games since her arrival "On the Banks" in 2017, tallying a total of 77 career points (32g, 13a). Ali's name is etched across the Rutgers career and single-season charts. The Voorhees, New Jersey, native ranks fifth in career points (77), fifth in career goals (32), and fourth in career game winning goals (14).
In the classroom, the criminal justice major is an Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a Dean's List honoree. In the community, the two-time captain participates in various team initiatives, including the Bobadilla Summer Soccer Academy, holiday food and toy drives, and the RFund Thank-A-Thon.
While Ali participates in many community service events, Special Friends Day stands out the most and is something she really enjoys. An annual event held at the Cook/Douglass Recreation Center, Special Friends Day provides special needs youth ages 6 to 21 a day of fun with Rutgers University students. Ali loves getting to know her friend for the day and watching them have the best time there.
Following her final year of eligibility in Fall 2021, Ali will join the Portland Thorns in the NWSL, having been drafted by the club this past January.
Follow Rutgers women's soccer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Download the Scarlet Knights App for Apple or Android today.
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