Verdoia graduated in June 2015 with a degree in political science and a 3.97 cumulative GPA. A 2015 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winner, she also received the Kennedy Award, which is awarded to the highest GPA among political science majors at Seattle U.
Now competing with the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) Boston Breakers, Verdoia left Seattle U as the career leader in goals (51) and points (132). Her single season record-breaking 22 goals in 2014 earned her second in the nation in Division I. A National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Third Team All-American during her senior campaign, she also received both the Capital One Academic All-American of the Year® Award and the Senior CLASS Award in 2014.
Of the top 30 list, Verdoia is one of three to have received the NCAA postgraduate scholarship, one of 19 that were members of their campus Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), one of 15 that were Academic All-Americans® and one of just four named Academic All-American of the Year® in their respective sport in 2014-15.
In its 25th year, the award recognizes graduating female student-athletes for excellence in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership. The top 30 (10 from each of the NCAA’s three divisions) was narrowed from a record 480 school nominees.
On Sept. 25, the committee will name nine finalists – three from each division – and the 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year will be named at the annual ceremony in Indianapolis on Sunday, Oct. 18. The top 30 honorees will also be recognized as part of the ceremony.
The complete list of top 30 honorees is as follows:
Sune Agbuke (Baylor University, Basketball, Division I)
Alison Alcott (Belmont University, Soccer, Division I)
Margo Geer (University of Arizona, Swimming and Diving, Division I)
Kim Jacob (University of Alabama, Gymnastics, Division I)
Savannah Leaf (University of Miami, Volleyball, Division I)
Colleen Quigley (Florida State University, Cross Country/Track and Field, Division I)
Michaela Reesor (Samford University, Volleyball, Division I)
Stephanie Verdoia (Seattle University, Soccer, Division I)
Zoe Scandalis (University of Southern California, Tennis, Division I)
Holly Stewart (University of Maine, Orono, Field Hockey, Division I)
Cassandra Clayborne (Bowie State University, Softball, Division II
Kristin Day (Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Swimming and Diving, Division II)
Mary Hanson (California Baptist University, Swimming and Diving, Division II)
Kate Lehman (Fort Hays State University, Basketball, Division II)
Gina Lirange (Bentley University, Field Hockey, Division II)
Christina Matheny (Wingate University, Track and Field, Division II)
Rebecka Surtevall (Arkansas Tech University, Golf, Division II)
Ivy Watts (University of New Haven, Track and Field, Division II)
Janelle Strampe (South Dakota School of Mines & Tech., Basketball/Volleyball, Division II)
Taylor Skala (Rockhurst University, Soccer/Basketball, Division II)
Ana Bogdanovski (Johns Hopkins University, Swimming and Diving, Division III)
Madeline Buckley (Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Soccer, Division III)
Margaret MacPhail (DePauw University, Tennis, Division III)
Kelsey Graham (Wheaton College, Soccer, Division III)
Anna Murdock (Franklin College, Cross Country/Track and Field, Division III)
Supriya Davis (Swarthmore College, Swimming and Diving, Division III)
Lindsey Hatch (The College of New Jersey, Field Hockey, Division III)
Alison Maxwell (Middlebury College, Cross Country/Track and Field, Division III)
Jenna Grasmeyer (Hope College, Volleyball, Division III)
Lucy Cheadle (Washington Univ. in St. Louis, Cross Country/Track and Field, Division III)
For the WAC release, click HERE.
For the NCAA release, click HERE.