Dec. 7, 2009
KANSAS CITY, Kan.--The National Soccer Coaches Association of America announced its 2009 All-Region selections on Sunday and four Nittany Lions were honored. Alyssa Naeher (Seymour, Conn.), Christine Nairn (Bowie, Md.), Katie Schoepfer (Waterford, Conn.) and Danielle Toney (Northville, Mich.) were all First Team All-Great Lakes Region honorees.
Naeher, the 2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and two-time NSCAA First Team All-American, earned her third consecutive First Team All-Region selection. The senior goalkeeper, who departed for U.S. National Training Camp on Saturday, posted a 1.04 goals-against average with seven solo shutouts in 21 appearances. She played a part in all 11 of Penn State's shutouts on the season and sported a .798 save percentage on the year.
Schoepfer, a candidate for the U.S. Young Female Athlete of the Year and M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, notched her second-straight First Team All-Region selection, and third selection to any All-Region overall. The 2009 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year finished the 2009 year with season bests in points (37) and assists (9) while tallying a Big Ten best 14 goals this season. The 2007 Second Team NSCAA All-American led the team in points as well and currently sits in the top five in most major offensive categories in Penn State history.
Schoepfer capped her career in Happy Valley with 92 appearances in the Blue and White, scoring 48 times and adding 26 assists in four seasons. Her 122 points stands fifth all-time at Penn State, while also placing fifth in goals scored, tied for fourth in game-winning goals (18) and tied for sixth in assists. Additionally, Schoepfer was a unanimous First Team All-Big Ten selection.
Toney, who was named to the First Team All-Big Ten squad in November, was second on the team in most major scoring categories including goals (13) and points (32), both of which were career bests. Toney recorded a career-high six assists in 21 starts, garnering Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors on two separate occasions. She was a NSCAA Third Team All-Great Lakes member last year.
Nairn's impact in Happy Valley was felt immediately as she shored up the central midfield position en route to winning the league's Freshman of the Year Award and earning unanimous First Team All-Big Ten status. Nairn poured in 24 points, notching a team best 10 assists, while adding seven goals. Her point total was the best by a Nittany Lion freshman since Tiffany Weimer, a three-time NSCAA First Team All-American, had 30 in 2002.
Penn State had the most first team honorees in the Great Lakes region as Ohio State was second with two. The four honorees were the most PSU had had on the First Team All-Region squad since landing four on the 2007 team that included Naeher, Schoepfer, Zoe Bouchelle and Denay Riley.
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--NITTANY LIONS--