LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Former Shepherd University standout softball player Nicole Purtell (Centreville, Va./Centreville) has been named one of the PSAC's 75 Greatest Female Athletes as announced by the league office on Wednesday. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference is celebrating its 75th anniversary season in 2025-26.

Purtell played for the Rams from 2019-23. Purtell is the program's all-time leader in hits (256), runs (192), and total bases (386). A standout on the field and in the classroom, Purtell was a two-time All-American and a three-time Academic All-American.