Aug. 16, 2011

Here is the complete Top Drawer Soccer Upperclassmen Top-100

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois soccer standout Vanessa DiBernardo was named a top-100 upperclassmen women’s player by Top Drawer Soccer recently, earning the 72nd spot. The preseason listing marks the second consecutive season DiBernardo appears in a Top Drawer Soccer player ranking, having secured a spot among the best freshmen women’s soccer student-athletes during the 2010 season as well.

Nine other Big Ten players from six additional conference programs join DiBernardo on the first listing of the season. Christine Nairn and Tani Costa represent Penn State, while Ohio State’s Paige Maxwell and Tiffany Cameron and Wisconsin’s Alev Kelter and Laurie Nosbusch round out the programs featuring two athletes. Nebraska’s Morgan Marlborough, Michigan’s Nkem Ezurike and Michigan State’s Laura Heyboer complete conference representation.

As a freshman during the 2010 campaign, DiBernardo led the conference in goals (11) and points (27) while helping the Illini to their seventh NCAA Tournament appearance under head coach Janet Rayfield. For her season-long success, DiBernardo was awarded Fighting Illini Female Newcomer of the Year, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten, NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region First Team and Top Drawer Soccer All-Rookie Second Team honors.