OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Preseason Patriot League Women's Soccer Defender of the Year Rachel Bloznalis has been named a Senior CLASS Award candidate, the organization announced on Friday afternoon. Bloznalis, a 2015 First-Team All-Patriot League Selection, is one of 30 candidates for the prestigious award.

The award is given out each year to a senior student-athlete who has notable achievements in four areas of excellence - community, classroom, character and competition.

"I am incredibly honored to be the first Boston University student athlete selected as a candidate for the Senior Class Award in five years," Bloznalis said. "Being a student-athlete at BU has given me the means to achieve excellence in these four areas and I have truly valued the opportunity to make an impact in the community and form invaluable relationships. I am surrounded by great people at BU that support me to become a better person and leader every day, on and off the field."

Bloznalis entered the 2016 season as the favorite for PL Defender of the Year and she has not disappointed so far, helping her team shut out four out of five conference opponents faced so far this season. She was named to the All-Patriot League First Team last season after missing her sophomore campaign due to injury and she has continued to impress since getting back on the field last year.

Last season, she was part of a defense that allowed just 4.7 shots on goal per game against all opponents last season including just 3.7 from conference opponents. Throughout the entire Patriot League Tournament, Bloznalis and the Terrier defense allowed just four total shots to reach the goalie. 

Through five conference games this season she has helped the team limit opponents to just 3.0 shots on goal each contest, leading to four straight shutouts.

"It is no surprise that Rachel was selected for this great honor as it recognizes the most complete and balanced student-athletes," head coach Nancy Feldman said. "Those that excel not only on the field, but in the classroom and in the community. Those that place a high priority on service through commitment to volunteerism as well as being model leaders by positive actions and the example set. This describes the Rachel Bloznalis that has been in front of us these last four years and we are so proud of her to be in this select group!"

Bloznalis currently holds a 3.37 GPA as a health science major in Sargent College and is a participant in the Bloom Family Leadership Academy. She has spent countless hours volunteering in not only the Boston community, but the global community as well, signing on with Coaches Across Continents and spending four weeks in Cameroon last summer as a volunteer coach, using soccer as a vehicle for social change.

The list of 30 candidates will be narrowed down to 10 finalists midway through the season. Those 10 candidates will be placed on the official ballot, which is distributed nationwide to the media, coaches and fans, who will select the candidate that most exemplifies the four "C's". The winner will be announced at the 2016 College Cup in December.