Dustin Pedroia earns Jackie Jensen Award.

• Position: Sports

BASEBALL

Pedroia is Jackie Jensen Award winner

Dustin Pedroia has been selected as the Jackie Jensen Award winner for 2014 by the Boston Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. This marks the second time that the Red Sox second baseman has received the Jensen Award, which honors the former Boston outfielder was noted for his extraordinary spirit and determination. Jensen starred for the Red Sox from 1954-59 and 1961. Pedroia first won the award in 2011. The annual Awards Dinner for the Boston Chapter of the BBWAA is set for Jan. 22 at the Harry Agganis Arena. The ticket price is $200. Once again the dinner is being hosted by the Sports Museum. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Renee Fraker at the Sports Museum at (617) 624-1231.

SOCCER

US lands in tough group for World Cup

The United States drew the toughest group for the Women's World Cup next year in Canada, and will face Australia in its opening match in Winnipeg on June 8. In addition to tenth-ranked Australia, the Group D included No. 5 Sweden, led by former U.S. coach Pia Sundhage, and No. 35 Nigeria, winners of nine African women's championships. The top-ranked U.S. Women are making their seventh World Cup appearance. The United States won the inaugural tournament in 1991 and added their second title in 1999. The team was runner-up in 2011 Germany, falling to champion Japan on a penalty shoot-out after a draw in regulation. The World Cup, which features and expanded field of 24 teams, will be played in six Canadian cities from June 6 through July 5. The field includes eight teams that are making their World Cup debuts.

Midfielder Lauren Holiday is the U.S. women's player of the year. Holiday, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who played at UCLA, also won U.S. Soccer's young player of the year award in 2007. She is the first woman to win both awards. Holiday played in her 100th international match earlier this year in a 1-1 draw with Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She also helped her club team, FC Kansas City, to the National Women's Soccer League title against the Seattle Reign in August. Other candidates included Abby Wambach, Sydney Leroux and Christen Press and Carli Lloyd.

Florida State is hoping its third journey to the Women's College Cup final will deliver a first championship title today. The Seminoles (23-1-1) will have to upend ACC Conference foe Virginia (23-2-0), also in the hunt for a first NCAA title. Florida State has played in seven...