Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/629829
of collegiate soccer, and Rodriguez was
thrilled to win it.
"This trophy is not just mine," she said.
"It's really the work of so many people,
including my coaches, my teammates, my
family and friends, but most importantly,
God. I understand these blessings come
from him. Aside from that, it's an honor
to win this trophy; it's just a prestigious
award to receive. I know that there have
been so many great soccer players who
have won this award. I'm honored and
very grateful."
The daughter of Sivianni Rodriguez, a
former Costa Rican national team member,
Raquel became the second Penn State
player to win the Hermann Trophy, joining
Christie Welsh, who was honored in 2001.
It was the culmination of a remarkable
year in which the 5-foot-6 mid;elder
scored six goals, added six assists, was
named a ;rst-team All-American by the
National Soccer Coaches Association of
America and was also lauded as the or-
ganization's Scholar Player of the Year,
partly in recognition of her 3.80 GPA in
recreation, park and tourism management.
Before beginning her senior season, Ro-
driguez had played in the Women's World
Cup, becoming the ;rst Costa Rican player
to score on soccer's biggest stage, with a
goal in a 1-1 tie against heavily favored
Spain.
Rodriguez said the experience she gained
in the World Cup enabled her to take her
game to another level when she returned
to Penn State in the fall. "I think it helped
in my con;dence as a leader. I think it
was an introduction to what was coming,"
she said. "It was an amazing experience
being around the best players in the world,
being on that stage. It's what a soccer
player dreams of. At least it's what I
dreamed of. It's an experience you'll never
forget."
She's getting set to start a new chapter
in her career, having been chosen by Sky
Blue FC with the second overall pick in
the National Women's Soccer League dra<.
Based in Piscataway, N.J., the team envi-
sions her playing a key role right away.
Said coach Christy Holly, "She will be a
huge part of everything that we are trying
to accomplish in the upcoming season."
As for the chapter that just ended, it
was simply dazzling. Rodriguez finished
her college career with 90 starts in 93
games and tallied 23 goals to go with 28
assists. She ranks 16th in Penn State
history in career points (74), 18th in
goals (23), 15th in game-winning goals
(nine), eighth in assists (28), 12th in
shots attempted (187) and 10th in shots
on goal (77). Penn State coach Erica
Walsh called her career "nothing short
of remarkable."
"[Her] exceptional talent, leadership
and drive were pivotal in the winning of
our program's ;rst-ever national cham-
pionship this year," Walsh said. "A