Soccer Recognizes Academic, Community and Athletic Achievements at Annual Banquet
2/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama soccer head coach Todd Bramble recently announced a collection of awards handed out at the program's annual spring banquet. Student athletes on the soccer team were recognized for their academic achievements, service to the community and their play on the field.
The Alabama soccer program excelled in the classroom this past fall, earning a 3.69 team GPA, with all 24 players earning a 3.0 or higher. Twelve players landed on the Dean's List, including four who were named to the President's List. Six of the 24 players on the soccer team earned a perfect 4.0 for the fall. Alabama also placed 14 players on the 2014 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, including nine starters. Laura Lee Smith highlighted the conference academic awards, earning the SEC's highest honor for her work and being named 2014 SEC Soccer Scholar Athlete of the Year.
In recognition of their academic achievements, while also taking note of on-field play, Alabama claimed three CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-District First Team honors. Abby Lutzenkirchen, Smith and Merel van Dongen all claimed the honor this past season, the first time since 2003 that Alabama has had three players named to the team while also marking the first time in program history that the Crimson Tide has had three players earn first-team recognition.
Additional accolades for Smith included spots on the SEC Soccer Community Service Team, the CoSIDA Academic All-American Second Team and second team All-SEC for her play on the pitch. Smith led the 2014 Tide in goals scored and points and for her standout play, she was voted the Alabama Offensive MVP by her coaches, teammates and support staff.
Van Dongen was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-American First team, making Alabama the only school in the nation with two players on the first and second CoSIDA Academic All-American squads. The senior was one of the Tide's top players in 2014 and ranked third on the team in points. She also set the Alabama all-time record for assists in a season with 10 and was among team leaders for minutes played. For her efforts, she earned second team All-SEC honors. Following her Tide career, she returned home and signed a contract with Ajax of the Netherlands as she looks to continue playing soccer, this time in the professional ranks.
Joining Smith and van Dongen on the All-SEC second team was junior goalie Emily Rusk. Rusk earned two SEC Defensive Player of the Week accolades for her excellent play between the posts. She also recorded seven shutouts on the season to tie for the program's all-time lead in that category.
Lutzenkirchen, the team's leader in minutes played, took home the Coaches' Award, while Rusk and Smith earned defensive and offensive MVP honors, respectively. Senior midfielder Theresa Diederich was voted the team's overall MVP after wrapping up her Tide career. The three-year captain finished with 18 points on six goals and six assists, and finished her career at the Capstone ranked third all-time in shots on goal with 76.
All annual team awards were voted upon by coaches, teammates and support staff.
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