AUSTIN, Texas – Four members of the 2020-21 Penn State women's soccer team, Kerry Abello, Sam Coffey, Ally Schlegel and Frankie Tagliaferri were recognized on the Academic All-District® 2 Women's Soccer Team, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), on Thursday. The program, which requires nominees to possess a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.3, recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. With four Nittany Lions among the 15 selections, Penn State recorded its highest total of all-district honorees ever.
A two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, Kerry Abello (Batavia, Illinois) helped guide Penn State to the 2021 Big Ten regular-season championship, her third as a Nittany Lion. One of the team captains, she was honored as a Senior CLASS second-team All-American. Abello is a Schreyer Honors College Scholar and a member of the Penn State Presidential Leadership Academy. She possesses a 4.0 cumulative GPA with a double major in science and Spanish.
The NCAA active career leader in points (114) and assists (46), Sam Coffey (Sleepy Hollow, New York) earned first-team All-American and Scholar All-American honors in 2021. The 2021 Big Ten Midfielder of the year, Coffey was also selected as a Senior CLASS first-team All-American. A three-time all-region and all-conference pick, Coffey served also served as a team captain. She has a 4.0 cumulative GPA and earned her degree in journalism in fall 2020.
Ally Schlegel (Parker, Colorado), a United Soccer Coaches first-team All-American and MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, was the Nittany Lions' top goal scorer for the second-straight year. The 2021 Big Ten Forward of the Year, Schlegel is a two-time all-North Region and All-Big Ten first-team pick and was recently named the team's Offensive MVP for 2021. Schlegel is pursuing a degree in business with a 3.82 cumulative GPA.
A United Soccer Coaches second-team All-American, Frankie Tagliaferri (Colts Neck, New Jersey) earned All-Big Ten honors for the fourth time and first-team All-North Region honors for the second time in 2021. She graduated with her degree in kinesiology in fall 2020 and had a 3.66 cumulative GPA.
The four Academic All-District 2 honorees will advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® ballot.
