Nov. 21, 2008

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois junior goalkeeper Alexandra Kapicka has been named a finalist for Soccer News Net's Player of the Year Award. Kapicka is among 32 players from across the nation and one of three Big Ten representatives, along with Michigan State's Laura Heyboer and Penn State's Alyssa Naeher, to earn the distinction.

In her first year starting in goal, Kapicka has been a force between the posts for the Illini. The Arlington Heights, Ill., native has collected nine shutouts, the fourth most in school history, and allowed just 16 goals, the second fewest in school history. Her 0.71 goals against average ranks second in the school record book for a single season and is also second in the Big Ten this year.

Soccer News Net is comprised of six regional websites, including Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New England, New York and Philadelphia. The editors of each of the six sites nominated up to six local players, each of whom will be eligible for the regional player of the year award. The nominations include athletes playing at colleges within each site's coverage area, as well as athletes from the area playing at the collegiate level elsewhere in the country. Six additional at-large selections rounded out the nominations.

Online fan voting will account for 40 percent of the total toward the award. The remaining 60 percent of the vote will be cast by the editorial staffs of the six web sites. Fans can vote for Kapicka by clicking here.