WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue soccer senior Sarah Griffith was named the Big Ten Forward of the Year as five Boilermakers were named to All-Big Ten teams, the conference announced on Thursday.
One of the nation's most dynamic scorers, Griffith is the second player in program history to be recognized as the league's Forward of the Year and the fifth to ever earn a Big Ten Player of the Year accolade. She is joined on the All-Big Ten First Team by sophomore midfielder Emily Mathews. Senior goalkeeper Marisa Bova and senior defender Skylurr Patrick are honored on the All-Big Ten Second Team and senior midfielder Grace Walsh collected All-Big Ten Third Team distinction. Additionally, senior midfielder Skylar Giacobetti was bestowed with the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Purdue's five All-Big Ten Team honors are its second-most in the team's 24 seasons and comes after a total of four players were recognized between 2011 and 2020. Just the 2021 team and the 2007 squad, with six, have earned more than three All-Big Ten awards since the program's inaugural season in 1998.
Griffith and Mathews' first team awards are Purdue's first since 2017 and the first time since 2009 the team has had more than one. Griffith, who was on the second team in 2020, and Walsh, on the third team a year ago, are two-time All-Big Ten Team honorees, the seventh and eighth in program history.
The recognition by the conference's coaches comes as the five Boilermakers have helped their squad to one of its best seasons ever. Ranked No. 18 nationally and in the top-25 for the first time since 2009, Purdue is 13-3-2 overall and 8-2-0 in Big Ten play, its best records since 2007. The Boilermakers' 13 wins are tied for fourth-most in a single season in team history, and eight Big Ten wins are tied for their most ever, along with the 2007 squad. The team finished second overall in the conference standings, tied for its best finish, with 2005 and 2007.
Purdue hosts Ohio State on Sunday, October 31, at 3 p.m. ET, in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal. Tickets are on sale now as postseason play returns to Folk Field for the first time since 2007 and the third time ever.
SARAH GRIFFITH: BIG TEN FORWARD OF THE YEAR, ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM
As part of a record-setting senior season, Griffith leads the Big Ten and ranks No. 4 nationally with 14 goals, tied for the most in program history. Her 30 points is 11th in the country and tied for fourth in the record books, and her four game-winning goals is 20th in the NCAA and also tied for No. 4 in school history. Griffith is third in the nation in shots on goal (45) and shots (83), which is first and second all-time at Purdue.
In Big Ten play, Griffith led the league with nine goals, three game-winning goals and 20 points, with two assists. She scored a goal in eight of 10 Big Ten games, had a point in all but one conference contest and notched a seven-game goal streak and an eight-game point streak, both school records.
A Naperville, Illinois, native, Griffith has 24 career goals and nine game-winning goals, both No. 6 in team history, while her 56 career points is No. 9. Her 202 shots and 106 shots on goal both are fifth-most in the record books.
Additionally, Griffith was a three-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honoree this year, tied for fourth-most by a single player in conference history.
Griffith is joined by Maddy Williams, in 2017, as the program's only Big Ten Forwards of the Year. She and Williams are two of five Big Ten Players of the year, along with Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Parrissa Eyorokon in 2007 and a pair of freshmen of the year, Jessica Okoroafo in 2005 and Jessica Stelhorn in 2007.
EMILY MATHEWS: ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM
Mathews leads the team with seven assists and is second with five goals, 17 points and two game-winning goals. Her seven assists is fourth-best in the conference and tied for No. 9 in program history, and her three game-winning assists is tied for No. 7 all-time. A Macomb, Michigan, native, Mathews has 30 shots, 18 on target.
In Big Ten action, Mathews led the conference with five assists and was second with five goals and third with 13 points. She had one game-winning goal, 21 shots and 12 shots on goal.
A two-time honoree on the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week, Mathews was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week on September 21.
MARISA BOVA: ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM
Bova's senior season has seen her continue to move up in the record books in numerous statistical categories. She leads the Big Ten with 90 saves and is second with a .849 save percentage, both third-most in team history, and she's third in the league with 1,656:23 minutes played. Bova's 13 wins are No. 5 all-time and the most by a goalkeeper since 2007, and she is tied for sixth in goals-against average (0.87).
In 10 Big Ten games, Bova was second with 51 saves and a .836 save percentage. She had three shutouts and a 1.00 goals-against average.
In her career, the Hartland, Wisconsin, native is second with a 0.890 goals-against average, a .805 save percentage and 19 shutouts. She is fourth with 27 wins, 5,086:36 minutes and 54 starts and fifth with 207 career saves
Bova is the third All-Big Ten goalkeeper in program history. She joins Lauren Mason, first team in 2006, and Jenny Bradfisch, second team in 2007. Bova was named the Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week on October 26 for the third time in her career, and is just the fourth player in conference history to earn more than two career goalkeeper honors.
SKYLURR PATRICK: ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM
An integral part of Purdue's defensive success this season and throughout her career, Patrick has started and played in 17 matches and logged 1,358 minutes. She has one assist and six shots.
From Lowell, Arkansas, Patrick has one goal, a game-winner in 2018, with four assists for six points in her career. She has 38 shots and nine on goal in 5,561:84 minutes. Patrick has played in 64 career matches with 63 starts.
GRACE WALSH: ALL-BIG TEN THIRD TEAM
Playing her second year as a midfielder after moving up from the back line, Walsh has two assists with 24 shots, six on goal. She has started all 18 matches and is third with 1,540 minutes played in 2021.
In her four-year career, Walsh has one goal and three assists for five points with 43 shots, 14 on goal. The Kensington, Maryland, native has started all 66 matches she has appeared in with 5,959:12 minutes played.
SKYLAR GIACOBETTI: SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Giacobetti has played in six matches for 80 minutes in her senior season. In 40 career games, with two starts, she has seven shots, two on goal. From Dana Point, California, Giacobetti has played 916:44 minutes.
No. 18-ranked and second-seeded Purdue will host seventh-seed Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal on Sunday, October 31, at Folk Field. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET in a nationally-televised contest on the Big Ten Network. Tickets are on sale now, here, and at https://boile.rs/B1GQTix21.
For more on the Purdue soccer team, visit PurdueSports.com/Soccer and follow and connect with the Boilermakers at @PurdueSoccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
One of the nation's most dynamic scorers, Griffith is the second player in program history to be recognized as the league's Forward of the Year and the fifth to ever earn a Big Ten Player of the Year accolade. She is joined on the All-Big Ten First Team by sophomore midfielder Emily Mathews. Senior goalkeeper Marisa Bova and senior defender Skylurr Patrick are honored on the All-Big Ten Second Team and senior midfielder Grace Walsh collected All-Big Ten Third Team distinction. Additionally, senior midfielder Skylar Giacobetti was bestowed with the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Purdue's five All-Big Ten Team honors are its second-most in the team's 24 seasons and comes after a total of four players were recognized between 2011 and 2020. Just the 2021 team and the 2007 squad, with six, have earned more than three All-Big Ten awards since the program's inaugural season in 1998.
Griffith and Mathews' first team awards are Purdue's first since 2017 and the first time since 2009 the team has had more than one. Griffith, who was on the second team in 2020, and Walsh, on the third team a year ago, are two-time All-Big Ten Team honorees, the seventh and eighth in program history.
The recognition by the conference's coaches comes as the five Boilermakers have helped their squad to one of its best seasons ever. Ranked No. 18 nationally and in the top-25 for the first time since 2009, Purdue is 13-3-2 overall and 8-2-0 in Big Ten play, its best records since 2007. The Boilermakers' 13 wins are tied for fourth-most in a single season in team history, and eight Big Ten wins are tied for their most ever, along with the 2007 squad. The team finished second overall in the conference standings, tied for its best finish, with 2005 and 2007.
Purdue hosts Ohio State on Sunday, October 31, at 3 p.m. ET, in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal. Tickets are on sale now as postseason play returns to Folk Field for the first time since 2007 and the third time ever.
SARAH GRIFFITH: BIG TEN FORWARD OF THE YEAR, ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM
As part of a record-setting senior season, Griffith leads the Big Ten and ranks No. 4 nationally with 14 goals, tied for the most in program history. Her 30 points is 11th in the country and tied for fourth in the record books, and her four game-winning goals is 20th in the NCAA and also tied for No. 4 in school history. Griffith is third in the nation in shots on goal (45) and shots (83), which is first and second all-time at Purdue.
In Big Ten play, Griffith led the league with nine goals, three game-winning goals and 20 points, with two assists. She scored a goal in eight of 10 Big Ten games, had a point in all but one conference contest and notched a seven-game goal streak and an eight-game point streak, both school records.
A Naperville, Illinois, native, Griffith has 24 career goals and nine game-winning goals, both No. 6 in team history, while her 56 career points is No. 9. Her 202 shots and 106 shots on goal both are fifth-most in the record books.
Additionally, Griffith was a three-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honoree this year, tied for fourth-most by a single player in conference history.
Griffith is joined by Maddy Williams, in 2017, as the program's only Big Ten Forwards of the Year. She and Williams are two of five Big Ten Players of the year, along with Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Parrissa Eyorokon in 2007 and a pair of freshmen of the year, Jessica Okoroafo in 2005 and Jessica Stelhorn in 2007.
𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) October 28, 2021
One of the nation's most prolific scorers, Sarah Griffith is just the 2nd Boilermaker to ever earn the honor.
Congratulations, Sarah! 👏#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ pic.twitter.com/WNLmQWklrP
EMILY MATHEWS: ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM
Mathews leads the team with seven assists and is second with five goals, 17 points and two game-winning goals. Her seven assists is fourth-best in the conference and tied for No. 9 in program history, and her three game-winning assists is tied for No. 7 all-time. A Macomb, Michigan, native, Mathews has 30 shots, 18 on target.
In Big Ten action, Mathews led the conference with five assists and was second with five goals and third with 13 points. She had one game-winning goal, 21 shots and 12 shots on goal.
A two-time honoree on the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week, Mathews was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week on September 21.
𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) October 28, 2021
For the first time since 2009, Purdue has 2 All-Big Ten First Team honorees, in Sarah Griffith and Emily Mathews.
Congratulations Sarah and Emily! 👏#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ pic.twitter.com/nd4RSZ8IaU
MARISA BOVA: ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM
Bova's senior season has seen her continue to move up in the record books in numerous statistical categories. She leads the Big Ten with 90 saves and is second with a .849 save percentage, both third-most in team history, and she's third in the league with 1,656:23 minutes played. Bova's 13 wins are No. 5 all-time and the most by a goalkeeper since 2007, and she is tied for sixth in goals-against average (0.87).
In 10 Big Ten games, Bova was second with 51 saves and a .836 save percentage. She had three shutouts and a 1.00 goals-against average.
In her career, the Hartland, Wisconsin, native is second with a 0.890 goals-against average, a .805 save percentage and 19 shutouts. She is fourth with 27 wins, 5,086:36 minutes and 54 starts and fifth with 207 career saves
Bova is the third All-Big Ten goalkeeper in program history. She joins Lauren Mason, first team in 2006, and Jenny Bradfisch, second team in 2007. Bova was named the Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week on October 26 for the third time in her career, and is just the fourth player in conference history to earn more than two career goalkeeper honors.
SKYLURR PATRICK: ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM
An integral part of Purdue's defensive success this season and throughout her career, Patrick has started and played in 17 matches and logged 1,358 minutes. She has one assist and six shots.
From Lowell, Arkansas, Patrick has one goal, a game-winner in 2018, with four assists for six points in her career. She has 38 shots and nine on goal in 5,561:84 minutes. Patrick has played in 64 career matches with 63 starts.
𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) October 28, 2021
The keys to Purdue's defensive success, Marisa Bova and Skylurr Patrick earn their first career All-Big Ten accolades.
Congratulations Marisa and Skylurr! 👏#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ #MoSaysNo pic.twitter.com/DiQyXDE52E
GRACE WALSH: ALL-BIG TEN THIRD TEAM
Playing her second year as a midfielder after moving up from the back line, Walsh has two assists with 24 shots, six on goal. She has started all 18 matches and is third with 1,540 minutes played in 2021.
In her four-year career, Walsh has one goal and three assists for five points with 43 shots, 14 on goal. The Kensington, Maryland, native has started all 66 matches she has appeared in with 5,959:12 minutes played.
𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) October 28, 2021
For the second consecutive year, Grace Walsh is named to the All-Big Ten Team.
Congratulations, Grace! 👏#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ pic.twitter.com/eTTWatWEcO
SKYLAR GIACOBETTI: SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Giacobetti has played in six matches for 80 minutes in her senior season. In 40 career games, with two starts, she has seven shots, two on goal. From Dana Point, California, Giacobetti has played 916:44 minutes.
A leader on and off the field and a great representative of our program and University, Skylar Giacobetti is our 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 honoree.
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) October 28, 2021
Congratulations, Skylar! 👏#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️ pic.twitter.com/JkzWkUIWnE
No. 18-ranked and second-seeded Purdue will host seventh-seed Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal on Sunday, October 31, at Folk Field. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET in a nationally-televised contest on the Big Ten Network. Tickets are on sale now, here, and at https://boile.rs/B1GQTix21.
For more on the Purdue soccer team, visit PurdueSports.com/Soccer and follow and connect with the Boilermakers at @PurdueSoccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.