Honors and Awards
- Second Team Academic All-Big 12 (2005, 2007)
- Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (Spring: 2005, 2007; Fall: 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007)
2007 Season
Abby Penas was an important component of the Husker backline in 2007, using her experience and enthusiasm to provide valuable minutes on the pitch. Penas made 17 appearances, including starting the final four games of the season.
Penas and the Husker defense held No. 12 Florida to a 1-1 tie on Sept. 23, before shutting out Oklahoma in a 1-0 NU win on Sept. 28. Penas also collaborated in Nebraska’s 4-0 domination of Lamar on Oct. 12. Her play earned her the starting nod for Nebraska’s final four contests of the 2007 season, including a 2-2 tie with Iowa State on Nov. 2.
Off the field, Penas earned second-team academic All-Big 12 honors for the second time in her career.
2006 Season
Penas was granted a medical redshirt in 2006 after suffering an injury in Nebraska's season-opening exhibition game at Louisville on Aug. 25.
2005 Season
Penas, who filled in at defender for the first time during NU's postseason run in 2004, was again a key contributor to the Husker defense in 2005. She started the first five games, including the full 90 minutes in the season opener against Minnesota on Aug. 26. In addition to the five starts to open the year, Penas tallied four more starts on the season, with her last coming against Oklahoma on Oct. 22.
Against the Gophers in the season opener, Penas pushed forward and added an assist on the first goal of the season, marking the second assist of her career. She attempted her first shot of the season against San Diego State on Sept. 6, and fired her only shot on goal of the season against Oklahoma State on Oct. 23.
Off the field, Penas earned second-team academic All-Big 12 honors and a spot on the Big 12 Commissioner's Fall and Spring Honor Rolls.
2004 Season
Penas was a solid player off the bench in 2004, appearing in 21 of Nebraska's 23 games, including her first career start against Texas in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Nov. 4. Penas also started all three of Nebraska's NCAA Tournament games. She logged a season-high 90 minutes against the Longhorns, playing defender for the first time in her career.
Although Penas played well in her switch to defender, she showed she still had a hand in Nebraska's offense. In the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Kansas, Penas found Nikki Baker with a long pass to set up the game-winning goal in overtime. The assist was the first of Penas' career.
Penas scored the first goal of her career to cap the Huskers' 3-0 victory over Texas Tech on Oct. 15. She attempted nearly three times as many shots in 2004 as she did in 2003.
A dedicated player, Penas also earned the Husker Power Award, which is annually presented to the most dedicated weightlifter on the team.
2003 Season
Penas saw action in 12 games as a freshman in 2003. She supplied a consistent boost to the Huskers coming off the bench during her rookie campaign.
Penas posted a perfect shots-on goal percentage, putting all four of the shots she attempted on goal in 2003.
High School
The top scorer for Grand Island High School, Penas garnered several accolades during her high school career. She was named honorable-mention all-state in 2001 and 2002 and was named to the Class A second team in 2002.
Penas contributed 34 goals and 14 assists in her career, with her best production coming as a sophomore, when she scored 12 goals. Her high school team won the 2001 district title.
Penas also lettered in basketball and softball for three years. She was named to the All-Nebraska second team in softball in 2000. She also set a Grand Island High School record for single-season assists on the hardwood with 110 and the record for single-game assists with 10.
She was also impressive in the classroom, finishing in the top 15 percent of her class. Penas was a member of the National Honor Society.
Other Information
Penas did not participate in club or Olympic Development soccer.
Personal Information
The daughter of Darrell and Pam Penas, Abby has two sisters, Andrea and Ashley, and three brothers, Brandon, Bubba and Brady. Brandon played baseball for Nebraska from 1999 to 2001. Abby was born on Oct. 19, 1984, in Grand Island, Neb. She graduated with a degree in business administration in May 2008.