Dec. 20, 2006

Forward Chichi Nweke earned her fifth postseason award when she was named to the All-Freshman second team released Wednesday by Soccer America. In addition, three Illini were honored as Scholar All-Central Region selections by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, with defender Mary Therese McDonnell taking a spot on the second team, midfielder Paula Faherty earning third-team recognition and defender Kara Gostisha earning honorable mention. Illinois also earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award after posting a team grade point average of 3.29 in the 2005-06 academic year.

Nweke (Virginia Beach, Va.) collects her fifth postseason laurel after being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, earning spots on the Big Ten All-Freshman team and the Soccer Buzz Great Lakes Region All-Freshman team, and grabbing a slot on TopDrawerSoccer's All-Rookie second team.

McDonnell's (Orland Park, Ill.) Scholar All-Central Region selection is her third award this postseason and fifth career honor. She was named All-Great Lakes Region third team and Academic All-Big Ten this season and to the Big Ten All-Freshman and Soccer Buzz Great Lakes Region All-Freshman teams in 2004. Faherty (Springfield, Va.) earns her sixth postseason honor, fifth for her academic achievements. She was an NSCAA Scholar All-North/Central Region second team selection in 2004 and is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree as well as being named to the 2003 All-Big Ten Tournament team. Gostisha (West Chester, Ohio) earned her second career honor after being named Academic All-Big Ten this season.

The team academic award is Illinois' fifth-straight, and the team GPA of 3.29 is the best by an Illini squad during that run.

For complete Soccer America All-Freshman teams, please visit Soccer America. For complete Scholar All-Region teams, please visit NSCAA Awards.