April 28, 2017
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's soccer team concluded its spring season by announcing its 2016 team awards Thursday night.
Head coach Erica Dambach announced the team's Defensive Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and the Rodney Swineford Award. Receiving plaudits Thursday night were Elizabeth Ball (Richmond, Va.), Isabelle Clauss (Clarks Summit, Pa.), Frannie Crouse (Greensburg, Pa.), Nickolette Driesse (Wayne, N.J.) and Grace Fisk (Bromley, London).
Ball, the Defensive Player of the Year, started all 21 matches on the Nittany Lion backline during the 2016 season. A 2016 All-Big Ten First Team member and NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Second Team honoree, Ball finished the year with five points on two goals and one assist.
Crouse was named the Offensive Player of the Year, as she recorded 21 starts, tallied 27 points on 12 goals and three assists. Crouse's 12 goals led the Nittany Lions and the Big Ten, while her 27 points were a team-best and ranked fourth in the conference.
Crouse's accolades in 2016 included: All-Big Ten First Team, NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Second Team and Academic All-Big Ten.
Fisk, the Freshman of the Year, started 18 matches on the Nittany Lion defense and scored one goal.
The Rodney Swineford Award, which honors the player who best epitomizes the values of Penn State women's soccer, was given to both Clauss and Driesse. In 2016, Clauss made appearances in three matches, while Driesse started all 21 matches for the Nittany Lions and she tallied one goal and added six assists.
Team Awards:
Defensive Player of the Year: Elizabeth Ball
Freshman of the Year: Grace Fisk
Offensive Player of the Year: Frannie Crouse
Rodney Swineford Award: Isabelle Clauss & Nickolette Driesse