EVANSTON, Ill. – Four Wildcats were named All-Big Ten by the conference coaches, with two earning first-team honors, following Northwestern's second place finish in the conference.
Juniors Marisa Viggiano (midfield) and Kayla Sharples (defense) were selected by the coaches to the first team, while junior Hannah Davison (defense) received a nod on the third team. First year Regan Steigleder (midfield) was named to the All-Freshman Team.
Viggiano has dished out six assists this season as the leader of the Northwestern offense. She is tied for fifth in the Big Ten in that category. Viggiano is tied for sixth in program history with 13 career assists. She also scored two goals this year and leads the Wildcats with 28 shots and 10 points.
Sharples finished second on the team with three goals and three assists as a defender, including two game-winning goals. She anchored one of the top backlines in the Big Ten, along with third-team selection Davison, who did her part on offense as well with one goal and two assists.
Together with goalkeeper Lauren Clem, the conference's sportsmanship award honoree, Sharples and Davison led a Northwestern defense that pitched nine shutouts this season, including seven in 11 conference contests.
Northwestern first-year midfielder Regan Steigleder was named to the Big Ten's All-Freshman Team, marking the fourth straight year the Wildcats have had a first-year student-athlete honored by the conference. Steigleder scored her first career goal on Sept. 28 in a 2-1 win at Indiana. She took 21 shots in her first season.
Chicago's Big Ten Team opens the Big Ten Tournament Sunday at home against Purdue. The No. 2 seed Wildcats kick off at 2:30 p.m. at Martin Stadium.
Juniors Marisa Viggiano (midfield) and Kayla Sharples (defense) were selected by the coaches to the first team, while junior Hannah Davison (defense) received a nod on the third team. First year Regan Steigleder (midfield) was named to the All-Freshman Team.
Viggiano has dished out six assists this season as the leader of the Northwestern offense. She is tied for fifth in the Big Ten in that category. Viggiano is tied for sixth in program history with 13 career assists. She also scored two goals this year and leads the Wildcats with 28 shots and 10 points.
Sharples finished second on the team with three goals and three assists as a defender, including two game-winning goals. She anchored one of the top backlines in the Big Ten, along with third-team selection Davison, who did her part on offense as well with one goal and two assists.
Together with goalkeeper Lauren Clem, the conference's sportsmanship award honoree, Sharples and Davison led a Northwestern defense that pitched nine shutouts this season, including seven in 11 conference contests.
Northwestern first-year midfielder Regan Steigleder was named to the Big Ten's All-Freshman Team, marking the fourth straight year the Wildcats have had a first-year student-athlete honored by the conference. Steigleder scored her first career goal on Sept. 28 in a 2-1 win at Indiana. She took 21 shots in her first season.
Chicago's Big Ten Team opens the Big Ten Tournament Sunday at home against Purdue. The No. 2 seed Wildcats kick off at 2:30 p.m. at Martin Stadium.