| Ali Krieger. |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; November 13, 2006 ?C The Co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Ali Krieger (Dumfries, Va.) is part of the 15-player list of semifinalists for the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy, collegiate women??s soccer??s version of the Heisman Trophy awarded to the player of the year. One of four defenders on the list, Krieger has done an outstanding job in her final campaign, converting to defense after her injury-plagued Lions needed an anchor in the middle. The 2005 first-team All-American led her team to its ninth-straight Big Ten title as well as its fourth Big Ten Tournament title overall. Krieger and the Lions posted NCAA first and second round victories over the weekend against Niagara (2-1) and Villanova (2-0) and move to the third round in a Sunday, Nov. 19 match-up with Boston College at Jeffrey Field at 1 p.m.
The Lions?? heart and soul in addition to being an outstandingly skilled player, Krieger returned this year from injury without missing a beat. The senior captain has started every contest, scoring two goals and adding five assists out of the back. Krieger earned All-Big Ten accolades for the third consecutive year with her 2006 pick up. Krieger earned Soccer America and Soccer Buzz Team of the Week honors after boosting the Lions to their Big Ten Tournament title. Her career totals now stand at 12 goals and 21 assists. Krieger earned preseason All-America honors from Soccer America this year and after another quality campaign is primed to repeat as an All-American.
Krieger??s inclusion on the list marks the seventh consecutive year a Nittany Lion has been on the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy??s list of semifinalists. Cementing its dominant reputation on the national scene, Penn State is the only program to have either the winner or runner-up for the prestigious award in each of the last six years.
The Nittany Lions?? Sunday game vs. Boston College marks the fourth time out of the last five years that Penn State has hosted a third round game. Ranked eighth by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, the Nittany Lions?? NCAA appearance marks the squad??s 12th bid in 13th years of program history. A win over Boston College Sunday would signal the Lions' sixth quarterfinal appearance in the past seven years.
Tickets for the NCAA Third Round at University Park are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at the Bryce Jordan Center Ticket Office or by calling 814-865-5555 or 1-800-833-5533. All phone orders only will have a $2 per order processing fee.
2006 M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Semifinalist List
Junior Midfielder Danesha Adams, UCLA
Sophomore Midfielder Yael Averbach, North Carolina
Senior Midfielder Jen Buczkowski, Notre Dame
Senior Defender Rachel Buehler,Stanford
Senior Defender Marian Dalmy, Santa Clara
Senior Defender Laura Georges, Boston College
Sophomore Forward Kerri Hanks, Notre Dame
SENIOR DEFENDER ALI KRIEGER, PENN STATE
Junior Forward Selin Kuralay, Florida State
Junior Defender Stephanie Lopez, Portland
Senior Forward Heather O??Reilly, North Carolina
Junior Forward Ashlee Pistorius, Texas A&M
Senior Forward Brittany Timko, Nebraska
Senior Forward India Trotter, Florida State
Junior Midfielder Angie Woznuk, Portland
Penn State??s M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Semifinalists (Past Seven Years)
2006, Ali Krieger
2005, Tiffany Weimer (runner-up), Erin McLeod
2004, Tiffany Weimer (runner-up)
2003, Joanna Lohman (runner-up), Tiffany Weimer
2002, Christie Welsh (runner-up)
2001, Christie Welsh (winner)
2000, Christie Welsh (runner-up)