After securing its first outright Big Ten title in nearly three decades and a perfect 8-0 finish in conference play, Northwestern racked up a bounty of awards in the Big Ten’s annual postseason honors.
Tracey Fuchs, entering her 15th season helming the Wildcats, earned her second Coach of the Year award — she also secured the honor in 2013, the last time NU won the Big Ten’s regular season crown.
Senior goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz was the program’s other individual honoree, nabbing Goalkeeper of the Year and an All-Big Ten first team nod. Skubisz leads the conference in a bevy of statistical categories, including fewest goals conceded (9), the lowest goals against average (.517), highest save percentage (.859) and shutouts (11).
Four other ‘Cats joined Skubisz on the conference’s first team: graduate student midfielders Peyton Halsey and Alia Marshall, senior midfielder Lauren Wadas and freshman forward Olivia Bent-Cole. Wadas was NU’s lone unanimous selection, and one of just four players to earn the distinction.
A pair of ‘Cats — sophomore midfielder Greta Hinke and freshman back Ilse Tromp — were named to the All-Big Ten second team.
NU, victors of 16 straight matches, secured the No. 1 seed and a bye game in the Big Ten Tournament, which commences Thursday. The ‘Cats will face the winner of Penn State and Ohio State’s quarterfinal clash.
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