Nov 03 | Women's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. ā Rutgers women's soccer freshman Lilia Calvert has been named the 2026 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the conference announced Tuesday. Calvert also earned All-Big Ten Third Team and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors following a standout debut season with the Scarlet Knights.
Calvert becomes the first Scarlet Knight to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors since Riley Tiernan in 2021.
Calvert led Rutgers with six goals, four assists and 16 points while starting all 17 matches in 2026. She also paced the Scarlet Knights with 48 shots and two game-winning goals.
The freshman recorded four goals and three assists for 11 points in 12 Big Ten matches, leading Rutgers in all three categories during conference play.
Calvert was twice recognized as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, earning the honor on Sept. 8 and Sept. 29.
Her first weekly honor followed a four-point performance in Rutgers' 4-2 victory over Princeton on Sept. 6. Calvert scored twice in the win, including the game-winning goal, to help the Scarlet Knights secure their first victory of the season.
She earned her second weekly recognition after helping Rutgers defeat No. 14 Wisconsin, 3-1, on Sept. 27. Calvert recorded a goal and an assist in the ranked victory, setting up Julia Joseph's game-winning goal before adding an insurance tally.
Calvert continued to make an impact throughout Big Ten play, scoring the game-winning goal in Rutgers' 3-2 victory over Northwestern on Oct. 8. She also found the back of the net in a 4-0 road win at Indiana on Oct. 25 and scored in the season finale against Maryland on Oct. 30.
Rounding out the conference honors for Rutgers was redshirt senior goalkeeper Olivia Bodmer, who received the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. The Monroe, New Jersey, native started all 17 matches in goal for the Scarlet Knights, recording 77 saves and five total shutouts, including four solo clean sheets.
2026 Rutgers Women's Soccer Big Ten Awards
Lilia Calvert
- Big Ten Freshman of the Year
- All-Big Ten Third Team
- Big Ten All-Freshman Team
- Big Ten Sportsmanship Award
