Four Wolverines Receive All-Big Ten Honors
11/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- One day prior to the start of the Big Ten Tournament, four members of the No. 25-ranked University of Michigan women's soccer team received All-Big Ten honors on Tuesday (Nov. 4), highlighted by sophomore Nicky Waldeck's selection to the All-Big Ten first team. In addition, junior Corinne Harris was an All-Big Ten second-team pick, and Ani Sarkisian and Taylor Timko were named to the All-Freshman Team.
Combined, the four honorees have accounted for 74 of Michigan's 110 points this season, as well as 23 of its 34 goals and 28 of 42 assists. They have also helped Michigan rank among the top three teams in the Big Ten in nearly every top statistical category -- shots (2nd - 282), points (2nd - 110), goals (3rd - 34), goals per game (3rd - 1.79), assists (2nd - 42), and assists per game (2nd - 2.21).
The Wolverines have placed at least one player on the first team in each of the last three seasons. Waldeck has had a breakout season in her sophomore year and is currently second in the Big Ten in points with 29, on 12 goals and five assists, more than tripling her point total from a year ago (8). Her 12 goals are tied for eighth on Michigan's single-season records list, while her eight goals scored during the Big Ten season are tied for second at U-M. The Chicago native's season highlights include her first career hat trick against Nebraska and scoring the game-winning goal against Michigan State with 24 seconds remaining in regulation. Following the hat trick, Waldeck was tabbed Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and ESPNW National Women's Soccer Player of the Week.
Harris, a Chicago native, returns to the list of All-Big Ten honorees after being named to the All-Freshman Team in 2012. She is third on the team in points with 15, on three goals and nine assists. Her nine assists are tied for second in the Big Ten and give her a total of 20 career assists, which rank tied for fourth in program history. Harris has played in 65 career games with 44 starts, including starts in all 19 matches this season.
Timko was one of two unanimous selections to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team. Recruited as a forward, the Michigan local from Rochester Hills has started all 19 matches this season at left back. With one of the strongest legs on the team, she has taken the majority of U-M's set pieces. She has also proven her ability to push forward on the attack and is fifth on the team in points with 10 (4G, 2A). Timko tallied the game-winning goal in overtime against Minnesota. She was recently named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Oct. 27.
Sarkisian joins Timko on the All-Freshman Team, marking the sixth time Michigan has had two newcomers on the All-Freshman Team and the first time since former Wolverines Nkem Ezurike and Meghan Toohey completed the feat in 2010. Sarkisian, who hails from Cresskill, N.J., leads the Big Ten and is tied for ninth in the NCAA in assists with 12, and has also scored three goals this season. Her 20 points are second on the team and tied for ninth in the Big Ten. Sarkisian has two game-winning goals, including a memorable goal with one second left in regulation to knock off No. 9 Wisconsin. She was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week after that performance.
Finally, senior Jen Pace was named as the team's representative for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. The senior captain from Village Valley, Calf., started 17 of 18 matches this season in the midfield and has tallied two assists.
2014 Big Ten Women's Soccer Awards & All-Big Ten Teams
Coach of the Year: Erica Walsh, Penn State
Forward of the Year: JANNELLE FLAWS, Illinois
Midfielder of the Year: Raquel Rodriguez, Penn State
Defender of the Year: Whitney Church, Penn State
Goalkeeper of the Year: Genevieve Richard, Wisconsin
Freshman of the Year: Emily Ogle, Penn State
| Position | First Team | Second Team |
| Forward | JANELLE FLAWS, Illinois | Mayme Conroy, Nebraska |
| Cloe Lacasse, Iowa | Addie Steiner, Northwestern | |
| Nicky Waldeck, Michigan | Frannie Crouse, Penn State | |
| Cara Walls, Wisconsin | ||
| Midfield | Raquel Rodriguez, Penn State | Corinne Harris, Michigan |
| Rose Lavelle, Wisconsin | Emily Hurd, Penn State | |
| Kinley McNicoll, Wisconsin | Hayley Katkowski, Rutgers | |
| Defense | Melanie Pickert, Iowa | Mary Kathryn Fiebernitz, Michigan State |
| Whitney Church, Penn State | Kori Chapic, Penn State | |
| Brianne Reed, Rutgers | Erica Skroski, Rutgers | |
| Brianna Stelzer, Wisconsin | ||
| Goalkeeper | Genevieve Richard, Wisconsin | Britt Eckerstrom, Penn State |
All-Big Ten Freshman Team
| Position | First Team |
| Forward | Ani Sarkisian, Michigan |
| Jamie Cheslik, Michigan State | |
| Frannie Crouse, Penn State | |
| Midfield | Rachel McCloskey, Minnesota |
| Nikki Walts, Ohio State | |
| EMILY OGLE, Penn State | |
| Defense | Sydney Elinsky, Illinois |
| TAYLOR TIMKO, Michigan | |
| Nikia Smith, Northwestern | |
| Maddie Elliston, Penn State | |
| Goalkeeper | Casey Murphy, Rutgers |
Unanimous selections in ALL CAPS
Sportsmanship Award Honorees
Megan Green, Illinois
Marissa Borschke, Indiana
Caitlin Brown, Iowa
Sarah Fichtner, Maryland
Jen Pace, Michigan
Nicole Caruso, Michigan State
Jen Larrick, Minnesota
Samantha Areman, Nebraska
Jennifer Korn, Northwestern
Ellyn Gruber, Ohio State
Kindrah Kohne, Penn State
Mikayla Lasky, Purdue
Amanda DeVolk, Rutgers
Molly Laufenberg, Wisconsin
Communications Contact: Whitney Dixon (734) 763-4423
