WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – After a three-point match, including scoring the match-winning goal in overtime freshman Nicole Kevdzija of the Purdue soccer team has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference announced on Tuesday.
Kevdzija scored the winning goal at 1:54 in the second overtime and assisted on Purdue's opening goal, 30 seconds into the match, to propel the Boilermakers to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Maryland on Feb. 25. The goal and assist were both the first of Kevdzija's collegiate career as she played in her second match.
A native of Strongsville, Ohio, Kevdzija had two shots, one on goal, in 87 minutes played.
Kevdzija's match-winning goal against the Terrapins came at 101:54. On the run, she received a long ball from junior goalkeeper Marisa Bova. The forward beat the Maryland defense and touched it past the keeper, who was out of her net. With her left foot, Kevdzija buried her first as a Boilermaker.
Thirty seconds into the match, Kevdzija assisted on the second-earliest goal in program history, when she sent a ball in to redshirt junior forward Sarah Griffith, who scored her first of the year.
In three matches in 2020-21, Kevdzija leads the team with three points and is second with five shots and two shots on goal. She is one of three Boilermakers with a goal and one of three with an assist.
The Freshman of the Week accolade is the first Big Ten weekly award for the Boilermakers this season and Purdue's first freshman honor since Sydney Sparks was recognized on Sept. 24, 2019.
Up next, Kevdzija and the Boilermakers are back on the road for their next two matches, beginning at Nebraska on Thursday, March 4. Kickoff in Lincoln, Nebraska, is set for 2:05 p.m. ET.
For more on the Purdue soccer team, visit PurdueSports.com/Soccer and follow and connect with the Boilermakers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Kevdzija scored the winning goal at 1:54 in the second overtime and assisted on Purdue's opening goal, 30 seconds into the match, to propel the Boilermakers to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Maryland on Feb. 25. The goal and assist were both the first of Kevdzija's collegiate career as she played in her second match.
A native of Strongsville, Ohio, Kevdzija had two shots, one on goal, in 87 minutes played.
Kevdzija's match-winning goal against the Terrapins came at 101:54. On the run, she received a long ball from junior goalkeeper Marisa Bova. The forward beat the Maryland defense and touched it past the keeper, who was out of her net. With her left foot, Kevdzija buried her first as a Boilermaker.
Thirty seconds into the match, Kevdzija assisted on the second-earliest goal in program history, when she sent a ball in to redshirt junior forward Sarah Griffith, who scored her first of the year.
In three matches in 2020-21, Kevdzija leads the team with three points and is second with five shots and two shots on goal. She is one of three Boilermakers with a goal and one of three with an assist.
In the 2nd overtime, Nicole Kevdzija received a long ball from Marisa Bova, and, at 101:54, found the perfect time for her first goal as a Boilermaker!
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) February 26, 2021
The assist also was the first of Marisa's career!#BoilerUp 🚂⚽️pic.twitter.com/7iwzofibyL
The Freshman of the Week accolade is the first Big Ten weekly award for the Boilermakers this season and Purdue's first freshman honor since Sydney Sparks was recognized on Sept. 24, 2019.
Up next, Kevdzija and the Boilermakers are back on the road for their next two matches, beginning at Nebraska on Thursday, March 4. Kickoff in Lincoln, Nebraska, is set for 2:05 p.m. ET.
For more on the Purdue soccer team, visit PurdueSports.com/Soccer and follow and connect with the Boilermakers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.