CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Four Illini earned Big Ten Conference postseason honors for women's soccer, the league announced on Wednesday (April 14). Redshirt-junior midfielder Kendra Pasquale and junior forward Makena Silber were named All-Big Ten Third Team selections. Freshman defender Joanna Verzosa-Dolezal was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman team, and senior midfielder Jayna Fittipaldo was tabbed as Illinois' Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree.
A crafty midfielder, Kendra Pasquale started all 12 matches this season for the Illini this season, and led the team in multiple categories including points (12), goals (5), and shot percentage (.238). Pasquale scored a brace vs. Iowa on Feb. 25 at Demirjian Park, and added goals in three of the Illini's five regular season home matches. She produced the game-winner in the 88th minute at Northwestern to wrap up the regular season, and earns her first career All-B1G honor. "Kendra emerged this season as one of the more dangerous midfielders in the Big Ten" head coach Janet Rayfield said. "Opponents were forced to deal with her ability to take on 1v1, create dangerous chances, and score goals. She will continue to develop and be a difference maker in this league."
Forward Makena Silber turned it up in the clutch this season, leading the team with three game-winning goals. Her first game-winner came in the season-opener against Purdue, a 1-0 Illini victory thanks to Silber's strike. Silber scored the deciding goal in the Illini's 3-1 victory over Nebraska, and also netted the game-winner in the second-half in a 2-1 win at Michigan State. Silber was also the top shot creator on the team, leading in shots (27) and shots on goal (16), and was the team's second leading scorer with three goals and six points. "Makena's strength, power and technical ability makes her dangerous around the goal at any moment" head coach Janet Rayfield said. "With 3 game winning goals, she showed that ability in key moments this season. This honor shows just how much teams respect her ability to score goals."
A pivotal part of the Illini defense, freshman Joanna Verzosa-Dolezal earned a spot on the B1G All-Freshman team. Starting all 12 games for the Illini and playing every single minute this season, Verzosa-Dolezal stepped up into a pivotal centerback role as a freshman and was a large part of the Illini's defense this season that ranked in the top-ten in opponent scoring average. "To come in and play a significant role as a freshman is a daunting task. To play every minute of every game, be a starting centerback and be the vocal leader defensively and do it with the success, confidence and humility that Joanna displayed is exceptional" head coach Janet Rayfield said. "I am delighted that she was recognized for such a tremendous first season as an Illini."
Senior midfielder Jayna Fittipaldo was named the Illini's B1G Sportsmanship Award honoree. A four-year letter winner, Fittipaldo is a two-time Academic All-B1G selection and will be graduating with a degree in Technical Systems Management. "It is called the Sportsmanship award but I think as you look down that list of student athletes and realize that they collectively represent the true value of college athletics you realize it is more than that.  We talk often about what being an Illini means and about living your values. Jayna Fittipaldo does that day in and day out" head coach Janet Rayfield said. "She gives all of herself as a player on the field, as a student in the classroom, as a SAAC officer and as a teammate, sister, daughter and friend. Her understanding of her role in something bigger than herself and her commitment to impact that picture in a positive way is incredible. She is deserving of this honor and of the gratitude that we all feel having her as a part of our program."
INDIVIDUAL HONORS
Coach of the Year: Erica Dambach, Penn State
Forward of the Year: Ally Schlegel, So., Penn State
Midfielder of the Year: Sam Coffey, Sr., Penn State
Defender of the Year: Izzy Rodriguez, Sr., Ohio State
Goalkeeper of the Year: Jordyn Bloomer, Sr., Wisconsin
Co-Freshmen of the Year: Peyton McNamara, Ohio State/Eva Alonso, Penn State
FIRST TEAM ALL-BIG TEN
Nicki Hernandez, F, Michigan
Kayla Fischer, F, Ohio State
ALLY SCHLEGEL, F, Penn State
Amirah Ali, F, Rutgers
Sam Coffey, M, Penn State
Frankie Tagliaferri, M, Penn State
Maia Cella, M, Wisconsin
Alia Martin, D, Michigan
Izzy Rodriguez, D, Ohio State
Gabby Provenzano, D, Rutgers
Jordyn Bloomer, GK, Wisconsin
Unanimous selections in ALL CAPS
SECOND TEAM ALL-BIG TEN
Emma Sears, F, Ohio State
Payton Linnehan, F, Penn State
Sarah Griffith, F, Purdue
Raleigh Loughman, M, Michigan
Sarah Stratigakis, M, Michigan
Katie Duong, M, Minnesota
Anna Aehling, D, Indiana
Oliwia Wos, D, Indiana
Eva Alonso, D, Penn State
Sammy Kleedtke, D, Wisconsin
Megan McClelland, GK, Rutgers
THIRD TEAM ALL-BIG TEN
Makena Silber, F, Illinois
Nneka Moneme, F, Rutgers
Cameron Murtha, F, Wisconsin
Kendra Pasquale, M, Illinois
Avery Lockwood, M, Indiana
Alyssa Baumbick, M, Ohio State
Grace Walsh, M, Purdue
Athena Kuehn, D, Minnesota
Hallie Pearson, D, Northwestern
Talani Barnett, D, Ohio State
Hillary Beall, GK, Michigan
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Sammi Woods, F, Michigan
Peyton McNamara, F, Ohio State
Sam Kroeger, F, Rutgers
Sophia Boman, M, Minnesota
Josie Aulicino, M, Northwestern
Becca Fluchel, M, Rutgers
Joanna Verzosa-Dolezal, D, Illinois
Anna Aehling, D, Indiana
Eva Alonso, D, Penn State
Emma Misal, D, Rutgers
MACY ENNEKING, GK, Iowa
Unanimous selections in ALL CAPS
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES
Jayna Fittipaldo, Sr., Illinois
Karlee Luker, So., Indiana
Diane Senkowski, Sr., Iowa
Hope Lewandoski, Sr., Maryland
Janiece Joyner, Jr., Michigan
Michelle Herring, Sr., Michigan State
Delaney Stekr, Jr., Minnesota
Theresa Pujado, Sr., Nebraska
Francesca Doctors, Jr., Northwestern
Kayla Fischer, Jr., Ohio State
Kerry Abello, Sr., Penn State
Gabby Provenzano, Sr., Rutgers
Isabelle Verdugo, So., Wisconsin
