National Women’s Soccer League Press Release CHICAGO (Oct. 3, 2016) – Sky Blue FC midfielder Raquel Rodriguez was voted the National Women’s Soccer League Rookie of the Year for the 2016 NWSL season, the league announced Monday. Rodriguez, 22, had a goal and an assist in 18 appearances as she massed 1,461 minutes during her […]

National Women’s Soccer League Press Release

CHICAGO (Oct. 3, 2016) – Sky Blue FC midfielder Raquel Rodriguez was voted the National Women’s Soccer League Rookie of the Year for the 2016 NWSL season, the league announced Monday.

Rodriguez, 22, had a goal and an assist in 18 appearances as she massed 1,461 minutes during her rookie season and helped Sky Blue FC improve four points and one place over their finish last season as the New Jersey outfit completed the 2016 campaign with a 7-8-5 record in seventh place with 26 points. The San Jose, Costa Rica native scored her lone goal of the year June 25 to help Sky Blue FC to a 2-1 victory over the Washington Spirit – as she smashed a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that flew into top-right corner for the first goal of her NWSL career. The Costa Rica international played an instrumental role for coach Christy Holly all season as she was tied for fourth in the league with 26 fouls suffered this year. The Rookie of the Year award caps a fantastic 12 months for the Penn State product, who helped lead her school to the 2015 NCAA National Championship last December – scoring the game-winning goal in the national title game. She went on to also win the 2015 MAC Hermann Trophy given to the top collegiate player in the country before being selected No. 2 overall in the 2016 NWSL College Draft in January. Then in February, Rodriguez had six goals for Costa Rica during 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Championship to finish the tournament tied with U.S. international Crystal Dunn as the competition’s top scorer. List of NWSL Rookie of the Year winners:

The NWSL awards are voted on by club officials, players, media that cover the league on consistent basis and fans.