Marshall Named Finalist for National Freshman of the Year

BOULDER - University of Colorado freshman soccer star Nikki Marshall has been named a finalist for National Freshman of the Year by Soccer Buzz Online Magazine, the publication announced Tuesday.

The Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and current conference leading scorer, Marshall has rewritten virtually every Colorado single season scoring record this year.  She has set nine new school records this season, including goals in a season (17), points in a season (38), goals in a game (4, vs. Clemson), points in a game (8, vs. Clemson) and consecutive games with a goal (4, twice).

She was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week four times in 2006, and also earned National Player of the Week following her four-goal game against Clemson.

Marshall and the Buffaloes will depart for South Bend, Ind., this Thursday morning to prepare for a date with the top-ranked and No. 1 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Sweet 16 of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. 

Fans wishing to wish the team good luck before they leave can visit Prentup Field at 8:15 a.m. Thursday morning as the bus to Denver International Airport will leave at 8:30 a.m. from the home of the Buffaloes.  

The game against Notre Dame will kick off on Friday, Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m. MST at Alumni Field.  Live stats and audio will be available at www.ncaasports.com.