Daktronics Release KUTZTOWN, Pa. –
Sam Costello (Westfield, N.J./Westfield) had earned nearly every postseason award throughout her career, but had long-awaited one final honor that came knocking on Wednesday afternoon. The senior forward became Kutztown University's third women's soccer All-American in program history after being named to the Daktronics All-America Third Team, as voted on by the Division II sports information directors.
She is also on the ballot for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) / Continental Tire All-America team, which will be released this Friday, Dec. 5.
Costello was the region's top player this year by earning the Daktronics Atlantic Region Player of the Year and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Offensive Athlete of the Year, both program-firsts for Kutztown. She was also named to the All-Atlantic Region First Team for the second time in her career
Costello scored a career-high 12 goals and dished out five assists in 2014. She led the PSAC in points per game (1.61) and following KU's final postseason game, dropped to second in the conference in goals per game (.667). She played a significant role in Kutztown's school-record nine-game winning streak and advancing to the PSAC Championship game.
She closed her career ranked third in school history in career assists (21), fourth in career goals (26) and fourth in career points (73).
Costello joins former Golden Bears Chelsea Deeter and Maria Borland as the program's three All-Americans. Deeter and Borland were named to the Daktronics Honorable Mention Team in 2010 and 2011, respectively, making Costello's Third Team recognition the highest from Daktronics in program history. Deeter did receive Third Team honors from the NSCAA in 2010.
Sports information directors from NCAA Division II schools and conferences selected the three Daktronics All-America teams. The process begins at the regional level with all first-team all-region picks advancing to the national ballot. This year represents the eighth year that Daktronics has sponsored the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer All-America and all-region teams. A total of 54 student-athletes representing 36 different institutions filled out the three teams and the honorable mention squad.
Daktronics, Inc., an acknowledged world leader in scoring, timing and programmable display systems for virtually every sport at every level of competition, serves as sponsor of the team. The NCAA Division II members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (D2SIDA) vote on the team.
