Raquel Rodriguez Earns NWSL Rookie of the Year Honors
Raquel Rodriguez of Sky Blue FC is named NWSL Rookie of the Year following a stellar season that saw her record 17 starts over 18 appearances. Rodriquez adds the honor to her list of recent accomplishments, including winning the MAC Hermann Trophy and being nominated for Top Female College Athlete at the ESPYs.
NWSL Soccer News: The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced on Monday that Sky Blue FC midfielder Raquel Rodriguez has been voted the 2016 NWSL Rookie of the Year.
“We are absolutely delighted for Rocky in being voted as the NWSL Rookie of the Year,” said Christy Holly, Sky Blue FC head coach. “This award is great recognition for all of the hard work she has put forth over the past season. Not only is she a fantastic asset to our organization on the field, she is also a brilliant representative for Sky Blue FC off the field as well. She is a key component in a very strong core of players who will continue bringing this organization forward.”
Sky Blue FC selected Rodriguez as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft last January, and the Costa Rica international immediately earned herself a Starting XI spot once preseason camp was underway in March.
During the 2016 season, Rodriguez logged 1,461 minutes, making 17 starts over 18 appearances. Her creativity in the midfield played a critical role in the success of the team throughout the season as Sky Blue finished with a record of 7-5-8. Throughout her rookie season she tallied 22 shots and added a goal and an assist to the offensive stat sheet.
Rodriguez continues her run of achievements over the past 16 months by earning 2016 NWSL Rookie of the Year honors. During the summer of 2015, Rodriguez scored the first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup goal for Costa Rica in their opening match versus Spain before returning to Penn State University in the fall to finish her senior year. She then led the Nittany Lions to their first NCAA College Cup title, scoring the game-winning goal in the 1-0 national championship match against Duke University.
Following her senior year, she was awarded the MAC Hermann Trophy, which is given to the top collegiate soccer player in the country, and she was later nominated for Top Female College Athlete at the ESPYs.
Rodriguez continued her international success in February, scoring six goals for Costa Rica during the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship. She finished the tournament level with Crystal Dunn of the United States as the competition’s top scorer.
Rodriguez is the first Sky Blue FC player to receive recognition as the NWSL Rookie of the Year, which was voted on by club officials, players and media who cover the league on consistent basis.
