Dec. 2, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Brittany Grzywacz (Collegeville, Pa.) and Laura Gebhart (Mount Joy, Pa.) were selected to the 2013 Longstreth / NFHCA Division I All-American Team on Tuesday. Both the senior defender and junior midfielder received second team recognition.
The 2013 season marks the fourth-straight season Penn State has had at least two players selected as All-America performers. Gebhart and Grzywacz are both repeat honorees, as each garnered second or third team status in the 2012 season.
Grzywacz, now a two-time NFHCA All-American, turned in a sensational senior season for the Nittany Lions, ranking second on the team in goals with 12, including leading the Big Ten with seven game-winning scores. The defender was selected as a third team All-American in 2012.
The senior anchored the Nittany Lion back line that allowed just seven goals in Big Ten play, tied for fewest in the conference. Grzywacz was also named the Big Ten Defender of the Year for the second consecutive season.
With the recognition this season, Gebhart has earned All-America status for a third straight year. The junior has now been selected as a second team All-American in back-to-back seasons after garnering third team status after her freshman campaign.
Gebhart captained the midfield for the Lions, controlling the tempo and connecting the defense and attack. The midfielder led the Big Ten in assists with 14 and ranks tied for third on the NCAA active career assists leaders list with 38, the most of any junior in the nation. Gebhart also received first team All-Big Ten recognition in 2013 for her performance on the field.
Grzywacz and Gebhart led the 2013 Nittany Lions to its second-straight regular season Big Ten title. The Blue and White qualified for the NCAA Tournament for its fourth consecutive season and finished the season with a record of 13-6.