University Park, Pa. — Sophomore midfielder Christine Nairn (Arnold, Md.) earned the distinction of Preseason All-American by Soccer America on Thursday morning. The reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year and unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection as a freshman is one of seven women's midfielders named to the team.
Last season, Nairn scored seven times and added a Big Ten-leading 10 assists for 24 points, the best among all freshman in the conference. Nairn enters this season as one of 45 Missouri Athletic Club's (M.A.C.) Hermann Trophy candidates along with teammate senior forward Danielle Toney (Northville, Mich.).
In all, 25 women were named Soccer America Preseason All-Americans and Nairn is the only one from the Big Ten. Additionally, Nairn is one of just four sophomores to make the list.
Last year, Alyssa Naeher was named to Soccer America's Preseason list, eventually garnering her third NSCAA All-America honor as a third-team member with fellow classmate Katie Schoepfer.
Nairn, who had an outstanding freshman season in 2009, is coming off a summer where she was the co-captain of the U.S. U-20 women at the FIFA World Cup in Germany. She started each of the first four games at the tournament, which also featured Nittany Lion freshman Maya Hayes (West Orange, N.J.).
Penn State opens its season Friday at West Virginia with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.