Athlete of the Year nominees: Michele Dalton
June 12, 2012 | General News
June 12, 2012
As part of its year-end look back, UW Athletics profiles 10 candidates this week leading up to the announcement of the 2011-12 Athlete of the Year awards this Friday. Today, we profile Athlete of the Year candidate Michele Dalton of the women's soccer team.
MADISON, Wis. -- The Badgers' goalkeeper for three years, Michele Dalton was recognized as the Big Ten's best in her final season.
Dalton, who played every second in goal for the Badgers during the season, tied for second in the conference with six shutouts in the regular season.
Overall, she ranked third in goals-against average (0.96), fourth in save percentage (.815) and tied for third in total saves (88). She also averaged 4.40 saves per game, which ranked fifth in the league.
Dalton's 88 saves ranks as the third-most in school history.
In 11 conference games, the senior ranked second in goals-against average, save percentage, saves and saves-per game in conference play.
The Mt. Prospect, Ill., native was also named first-team All-Big Ten, becoming just the third Badger in history to accomplish the feat. Dalton joins Julie Johnson (1996) and Ursula McKnight (1994).
She also earned a spot on the All-Great Lakes second team and twice was named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week during the season.
With Dalton in goal, the Badgers finished the season 10-7-3. For her career, Dalton won 29 games and recorded 24 shutouts while posting a .835 save percentage.
