ST. LOUIS - Three Illinois State soccer players were named to the Missouri Valley Conference Women's Soccer Scholar-Athlete Team, as announced by the league office Tuesday morning. Seniors Bethany Brown and Alyssa Schulz were joined by junior Jessica Carlson as first-team honorees.
"It is great to see these three players recognized for their academic success," said head coach Drew Roff. "All three have a tremendous work ethic, they are model student-athletes and they have done a fantastic job of taking advantage of the opportunities that have been given to them here at Illinois State."
Brown, who completed her undergraduate degree in criminal justice with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, was named to the 2010 CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District V team and contributed to a Redbird defense that recorded four shutouts and posted a 1.18 goals against average. The Vernon Hills, Ill., native appeared in all 18 games for ISU this season and has a member of the AFNI Athletics Honor Roll for six semesters.
Carlson led Illinois State offensively for the second-straight season, recording 19 points on seven goals and five assists. Carlson tallied three game-winning goals for the Redbirds this season, including the winning tally in ISU's 2-1 win over Kansas (Sept. 5), marking the first time in program history that Illinois State has defeated a team from the Big 12 Conference. The Darien, Ill., native was an All-Valley First-Team selection and was named the MVC Offensive Player of the Week on two separate occasions. She was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District V team, holds a 3.82 grade point average in physical education and has been an AFNI Athletics Honor Roll member for four semesters.
Schulz was also named to the CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District V team and boasts a grade point average of 3.92 in elementary education. Schulz finished her senior season with three goals, two assists and eight points, including the game-winner for the Redbirds in their win at Kent State. The Maple Grove, Minn., native was an MVC Offensive Player of the Week selection, named to the All-Valley Second Team and was selected to the All-Valley Tournament Team for her efforts in Illinois State's semifinal run in the State Farm MVC Tournament. She has been named to the AFNI Athletics Honor Roll for six semesters.
Nine of the 12 first-team honorees hold a cumulative GPA of 3.80 or better and eight were honored nationally on CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District teams.
A total of 32 student-athletes were nominated for the Valley's scholar-athlete team. Nominees must be starters or important reserves with at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and must have participated in at least 75 percent of the regular-season matches or the State Farm MVC Championship. Student-athletes must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at their institution (true freshman and redshirt freshman were not eligible) and must have completed at least one full academic year at their institution. The team was voted on by sports information directors at MVC institutions.
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