IWU Names Rodriguez as Women’s Soccer “Most Valuable”

November 27, 2007

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Junior defender Tina Rodriguez has been chosen as the “Most Valuable Player” for the 2007 Illinois Wesleyan women’s soccer team.

Rodriguez (Simi Valley, Calif., Royal HS), a two-time first team all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selection, had a goal and two assists for the Titans, who limited opponents to only 23 goals in 203 shots, a .113 percentage.

“Rodriguez is consistently recognized by opposing coaches for her defensive ability and her knack for getting to the ball,” said IWU head coach Dave Barrett, whose team finished 7-8-3 overall and 3-3-1 in the CCIW.

In other team awards, junior defender Carissa Nemmers (Dubuque, Iowa, Hempstead HS) and sophomore defender Patty Troxell (Lakewood, Crystal Lake Central HS) were co-winners of the team’s “Most Improved Player” distinction.

Second team all-CCIW selection Caroline Leighton (Bloomington, Normal Community HS) led IWU in scoring with 28 points and netted a team-best 13 goals. After three seasons in school history she ranks No. 8 in career scoring (69 points) and No. 5 with 31 goals.

Sophomore Elizabeth Sinclair (Peoria, Richwoods HS), another second team all-conference selection, scored eight goals and added two assists for 18 points and, after two years, is 18th in career scoring at IWU with 28 points.

Freshman goalkeeper Alli Novak (Naperville, North HS) made a school single season record 96 saves and had a 1.22 goals against average.

Barrett awarded 21 letters to women's soccer players, including 19 to players who will return next season. The letterwinners are, with hometowns and high schools:

SENIORS – Megan Lucke (Libertyville HS), Meghan Rynne (Oak Forest, Marian Catholic HS).

JUNIORS – Carly Calkins (Park Ridge, Maine South HS), Caroline Leighton (Bloomington, Normal Community HS), Carissa Nemmers (Dubuque, Iowa, Hempstead HS), Tina Rodriguez (Simi Valley, Calif., Royal HS).

SOPHOMORES – Kelsey Hogan (Livonia, Mich., Stevenson HS), Erin Kugler (Peoria, Notre Dame HS), Emily Marcheschi (Hinsdale, Nazareth Academy), Alexa Nosek (Geneva, Benet Academy), Elizabeth Sinclair (Peoria, Richwoods HS), Christine Szukalla (Mt. Prospect, Prospect HS), Beth Talentowski (LaGrange, Lyons Township HS), Patty Troxell (Lakewood, Crystal Lake Central HS).

FRESHMEN –Alyssa Feulner (St. Charles, East HS), Lexi Florian (Antioch HS), Carlie Hoesktra (Wheaton, Wheaton-Warrenville South HS), Lindsey Iseler (Slinger, Wis., HS), Katie Johnson (Spring Hill, Tenn., Brentwood Academy), Alli Novak (Naperville, North HS), Rachel Pennington (Ballwin, Mo., Parkway West HS), Kelsey Porter (Bloomington HS), Tori Samson (Chesterfield, Mo., Parkway Central HS).

CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, 309-556-3206