Jan. 14, 2008

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell women's soccer junior defender Nicole Marotta (Bridgewater, N.J./Mount St. Mary Academy) has been named to the NSCAA Scholar All-East Region Third Team, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America announced recently.

To be considered for the award, a student-athlete must carry a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average or higher, start more than 50 percent of the team's contests, be a significant contributor and be a junior in academic standing or above.

Marotta, who carries a 3.35 GPA as a biology major, was one of two Patriot League student-athletes, to earn a spot on the NSCAA's Scholar All-East Region squad as Army midfielder Sara Goss was named to the second team.

A two-time All-Patriot League first team selection and 2006 Patriot League Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Marotta served as co-captain for the Bison in 2007. She appeared in and started 16 of the squad's 20 games last fall and tallied one point, dishing an assist in Bucknell's 6-0 victory against Lafayette.

In total, Marotta has started 55 games through her first three seasons with the Orange and Blue and has registered nine points on three goals and three assists.

The Bison finished 2007 with a record of 11-8-1 and captured their second consecutive Patriot League regular season title.