University of Delaware Athletics
Pickard Named to Soccer America National Team of the Week (Oct. 5, 2011)
10/5/2011 1:51:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Soccer America National Team of the Week
WILTON, Conn. – Picking up her second accolades of the week, University of Delaware forward Amy Pickard was named to Soccer America's National Women's Team of the Week.
The senior from Lancaster, Pa. (Lancaster Catholic) was also tabbed a Co-Player of the Week by the Colonial Athletic Association earlier this week. Pickard was joined in both honors by William & Mary's Mallory Schaffer.
This marks the fourth weekly honor this season for Pickard, who was also named CAA Player of the Week and National 5&10 Best of the Blue Hens Athlete of the Week on Sept. 12. She is also the second Blue Hen to be named to the Soccer America National Team of the Week. Roberto Giménez, a sophomore forward on the men's side, was named to the squad last week.
Last week, Pickard helped Delaware to a 2-0 record, knocking off Northeastern 3-0 on the road and holding off Hofstra 3-2 at home on Sunday. Both teams that Delaware knocked off last week were ranked in the NSCAA/adidas Mid-Atlantic Regional poll. Northeastern occupied the No. 4 spot while Hofstra held the No. 9 position.
The fifth-year senior, who missed 2009 with a leg injury, tallied six points last week, including four against Hofstra. She converted her first penalty kick of the year at Northeastern to put UD up 2-0, and followed up with a career-best four-point effort on Sunday.
Pickard had a hand in each goal against Hofstra, including the first of the game. After the Pride gained a 2-1 advantage, Pickard chipped a pass to Chelsea Duffy, who knotted the game at 2-2 to end the first half. In the 63rd minute, Pickard found Ali Miller on a cross into the box, allowing Miller to put away the game-winner and snapping the Hens' 11-game skid to the Pride.
“Amy's play this year has been great. She worked hard last spring and summer to overcome her physical issues and prepare herself for the fall season,” said head coach Scott Grzenda, who won his 200th career game against Hofstra on Sunday. “During a match, she raises the play of everyone and what she has brought in leadership both on and off the field is priceless.”
After a slow 1-3-1 start, Delaware has won five of its last six games, sitting at 6-4-1 overall and 2-1-0 in the CAA. Pickard has been a big part of the turnaround. She has scored at least one point in five of the last six games.
In addition to Pickard and Schaffer, the Soccer America National Team of the Week was comprised of goalkeeper Victoria Esson (Texas Tech), forwards Erin Dalley (Utah), Vanessa DiBernardo (Illinois), Nkem Ezurike (Michigan), Sarah Hagan (Milwaukee), National Player of the Week Courtney Jones (North Carolina) and Katie Ryan (Villanova), as well as midfielder Taryne Bourdreau (LSU) and back Jessica Schuveiller (Notre Dame).
Delaware, which was tied for No. 10 in this week's NSCAA/adidas Mid-Atlantic Regional rankings, heads to Virginia for its next two games. The Hens will face Old Dominion University on Friday, Oct. 7, followed by a match with William & Mary on Sunday, Oct. 9. The kickoffs are set for 7 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.
