Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell's Nicole Marotta Named Patriot League Women's Soccer Co-Defensive Player of the Year
11/2/2006 7:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 2, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - After receiving All-Patriot League first team honors yesterday, Bucknell sophomore defender Nicole Marotta (Bridgewater, N.J./Mount St. Mary Academy) was named the league's Women's Soccer Co-Defensive Player of the Year along with Navy's Shelly Moeller, the Patriot League announced at the championship banquet this evening. Marotta is the first Bison player in the history of the program to earn the award, which was established in 1994.
This year, Marotta has contributed to a team goals against average of 0.93 and a program record-tying five shutouts. As a key fixture on Bucknell's back line, starting all 17 games this season, Marotta has helped the Bison hold opponents to one goal or less in 16 matches, which has translated into a record of 12-0-0 in contests where the Orange and Blue has managed to score at least once.
Marotta has three points on the season on a goal and an assist. Last Sunday in the regular season finale, she scored the game-tying goal in the 43rd minute of the 2-1 Bison victory against Navy to end the Mids' 983:28-minute shutout streak. The win earned Bucknell the No. 1 seed in the Patriot League tournament and the right to serve as tournament host.
As a freshman in 2005, Marotta started all 21 games and tallied two goals and one assist for five points. In addition to recording an assist in the Orange and Blue's 4-3 triumph over Navy to clinch a playoff berth, she netted the first goal in Bucknell's 3-1 victory over Army in the Patriot League championship match.
The Bison return to action tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 3, when the team will face No.-4 seed Colgate in a Patriot League semifinal game that is slated for at 7:15 p.m. on Varsity Soccer Field.
