LOS ANGELES -- Raquel Rodriguez was named one of three finalists for the prestigious Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year award inside the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California Monday, June 27. Rodriguez along with Michigan's Sierra Romero (softball) were named finalists while UConn's Breanna Stewart (basketball) brought home the award.
"It is a huge honor, I am very, very grateful with God first of all," Rodriguez said. "It is just an honor, the women that are here, they are all legends, it keeps you humble. To be a part of this group is just something I would never have imagined."
The Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year reflects not only athletic achievement but also the ideals of team contribution, scholastic endeavor, school and community involvement and those personal characteristics as stated in the philosophy of the NCAA.
"Raquel epitomizes the true meaning of the term 'student-athlete' and, with the help of her teammates, she has made the most of her four-year collegiate experience both on the field and in the classroom," head coach Erica Dambach said. "Being named a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year is a great honor for Raquel, Penn State and college soccer."
Following the College Cup victory, Rodriguez became the second member of the Penn State women's soccer program to win the MAC Hermann Trophy, which is presented annually to the top female collegiate soccer player in the country, and she received the Honda Sport Award honor for soccer.
Last week, Rodriguez was nominated for a 2016 ESPY award, presented by ESPN. Rodriguez is on the ballot for Best Female Collegiate Athlete. The 2016 ESPYS, hosted by John Cena, are LIVE on ABC Wednesday, July 13, at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Fans can cast their vote by voting online at http://espn.go.com/espys/2016/. Voting ends July 13 at 8 p.m. EDT.
Rodriguez earned numerous awards in 2015-16, including: MAC Hermann Trophy winner, Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year Finalist, Honda Sport Award winner, CONCACAF Female Player of the Year nominee, Most Outstanding Player on Offense of the Women's College Cup, Women's College Cup All-Tournament Team, NSCAA Scholar Player of the Year, NSCAA Scholar First Team All-American, NSCAA All-Great Lakes First Team, NSCAA First Team All-American, All-Big Ten First Team, Academic All-Big Ten, TopDrawerSoccer Best XI First Team, TopDrawerSoccer's Player of the Year, Penn State Athletics Female Athlete of the Year and CoSIDA Academic All-District first team.
In the Penn State record books, Rodriguez ranks 16th in points (74), 18th in goals (23), T-15th in game-winning goals (nine), T-8th in assists (28), 12th in shots attempted (187), 10th in shots on goal (77) and T-17th in games started (90).