November 5, 1998
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Northwestern junior midfielder Erica Westrich (St. Louis, Mo./Cor Jesu Academy) became the first Northwestern soccer player to be named Big Ten Player of the Year.
"We're very happy for Erica. It certainly is a well-deserved award," said Wildcat head coach Marcia McDermott. "She's been consistent all year, but has played the best games when it has mattered most. She's been critical to our success this year."
Westrich, who has moved to center midfield from wing since her freshman year, described herself as "shocked" and "overwhelmed" in reaction to her selection.
"I think that winning this award is a tremendous honor," said Westrich. "It is really a credit to my teammates. I could not have done anything without them."
Westrich has scored two goals and an assist on the season, helping Northwestern to a 14-3-1 regular season record. She is claiming her third consecutive Big Ten honor, becoming only the fifth women's soccer player to be named All-Big Ten three consecutive seasons. Westrich was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 1996 and 1997. In 1996 she was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Senior Kristen Palmer (Huntington Beach, Calif./Marina) was one of three defenders named first-team All-Big Ten. Palmer is second on the Wildcats in scoring with four goals and nine assists, and leads a defense that has helped hold NU opponents to a 1.004 goals against average. Returning from a torn ACL she sustained in 1996, Palmer was named second-team All-Big Ten and voted Wildcat Defensive MVP in 1997.
The entire 1998 All-Big Ten First Team follows:
Forwards
Carole Dutchka, Sr., Penn State
Tracy Grose, Jr., Indiana
Nicole Lee, Jr., Minnesota
Laurie Seidl, So., Minnesota
Midfielders
Becky Borchers, Sr., Ohio State
Kelly Buszkiewicz, Jr., Illinois
Kelly Convey, Jr., Penn State
Erica Westrich, Jr., Northwestern
Defenders
Shannon Brown, Sr., Wisconsin
Kristen Palmer, Sr., Northwestern
Vanessa Touset, Sr., Minnesota
Goalkeeper
Emily Oleksiuk, Fr., Penn State
Player of the Year
Erica Westrich, Northwestern
Coach of the Year
Patrick Farmer, Penn State
Freshman of the Year
Emily Oleksiuk, Penn State