Valpo soccer senior back Nicole Norfolk (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels) picked up yet another accolade on Wednesday for her defensive work for the Beacons, as she was tabbed a Third Team All-Midwest Region honoree by United Soccer Coaches.

Norfolk adds the All-Region award — the first of her career — to her First Team All-MVC honor from earlier this season. The stalwart center back continued to anchor the Beacon back line this season, playing all but 14 minutes of Valpo’s first 15 matches of the season before suffering an injury early at Belmont Oct. 13. She returned to the starting lineup for Valpo’s MVC semifinal match against Murray State.

With Norfolk on the field during Valley play, Valpo surrendered just one goal in 544 minutes of play. Thanks in part to her defensive work, the Beacons posted seven clean sheets overall in 2022, five of which came in MVC matches. Norfolk got in the mix offensively as well, heading home a corner kick for the eventual match-winning goal against UIC, and was named MVC Defensive Player of the Week Sept. 26.