Dec. 11, 2014
MIAMI; Dec. 11, 2014 - Penn State women's soccer junior Raquel Rodriguez (San Jose, Costa Rica) has been nominated as the 2014 of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Female Player of the Year after the Costa Rican Women's National Team made history by becoming the first Central American country to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Rodriguez is the only amateur player nominated for a Player of the Year award.
Las Ticas beat Trinidad & Tobago on penalty kicks in the CONCACAF Women's Championship semifinal match on Oct. 24 to advance to the 2015 tournament in Canada. During the tournament, Rodriguez started four of five matches and scored the fourth-most goals in the tournament (3).
The 2014 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region first team honoree was an integral part in the Nittany Lions' 10th NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal appearance. In 1,278 minutes on the pitch over 18 games played, she netted a career-high seven goals and took 37 shots.
Also nominated for the Female Player of the Year award is Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Christine Sinclair, Hope Solo, Kennya Cordner, Lauren Holiday, Shirley Cruz and Veronica Charlyn Corral.
Nominees for the CONCACAF annual awards are determined through votes of the technical directors from each of CONCACAF's 41 member associations and the CONCACAF Technical Study Group. Final voting will be conducted by the member associations' men's and women's national team coaches and captains, accredited members of CONCACAF's media circle and fans.
To vote for Rodriguez, visit http://www.concacaf.com/2014-concacaf-awards-voting-fans. Fan voting is open through Fri., Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. (ET). The winners for each award announced by the end of the year, via CONCACAF.com.