Valpo soccer senior Nicole Norfolk (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels) raked in yet another award recognizing her excellence in the classroom and on the field, as she earned a spot on the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-North/Central Region Second Team.

On the academic side, Norfolk boasts a 3.962 cumulative GPA as a biology and chemistry double major. She has been named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team each of the last three years and was a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree.

On the pitch, Norfolk enjoyed another stellar season at center back, anchoring the Beacons’ back line. A Third Team United Soccer Coaches All-Region and First Team All-MVC selection, Norfolk played 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.