Saturday, December 15, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. - Simon Fraser defender Helge Neumann has been selected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Scholar-Athlete All-America team.

Neumann was one of three GNAC players named to the team and the only first team selection.

Named to the men's third team was Seattle Pacific defender Caleb Nyone.  The lone GNAC woman named to the team was Montana State Billings midfielder Jaucelyn Richter.  She was also a third team pick.

To be nominated, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average throughout his or her career; start more than 50 percent of all games and be a significant contributor to the team.

The student-athlete must also be a junior or above in academic standing at the current institution be in his or her second year at the current school.

Neumann was a key piece to the Clan's defense as they reached the semifinal game of the NCAA Division II national championships.

He was part of a Clan defense which finished 13th nationally in goals against averaging allowing 0.76 goals per 90 minutes.  Neumann and Nyone were the only West Region players to make the men's team.

Two other West Region players joined Richter on the women's team.  Cal State Stanislaus forward Karenee Demery was a first team selection.  Midfielder Bernadette Witz of Cal Baptist was a third team pick.

In addition to the three players named to the Scholar-Athlete All-American team, six others earned scholar-athlete all-region honors.

First team all-region selections were Stephen Marshall of Northwest Nazarene and  Blaine Carver of Seattle Pacific. Earning second team honors were Tanya Zickefoose, Sarah Staropoli and Jennifer Field, all of Northwest Nazarene, and Jennifer Larsen of MSU Billings.

NSCAA Scholar-Athlete All-American

MEN: First Team - Helge Neumann, SFU (Economics, Sr., 3.30, Oslo, Norway).  Third Team - Caleb Nyone, SFU (Physiology, Sr., 3.64, Happy Valley, CA).

WOMEN: Third Team -   Jaucelyn Richter, MSUB (Environmental Studies, Sr., 3.43, Billings, MT).   

NSCAA Scholar-Athlete All-Region

MEN: First Team - Helge Neumann, SFU (Economics, Sr., 3.30, Oslo, Norway); Caleb Nyone, SFU (Physiology, Sr., 3.64, Happy Valley, CA); Stephen Marshall, NNU (Athletic Training, Sr., 3.93, Palm Springs, CA); Blaine Carver, SPU (Business Administration, Jr., 3.91, Soldotna, AK). 

WOMEN: First Team -   Jaucelyn Richter, MSUB (Environmental Studies, Sr., 3.43, Billings, MT). Second Team - Tanya Zickefoose, NNU (Recreation & Sports Management, Sr., 3.77, Edmonds, WA); Jennifer Larsen, MSUB (Health & Human Performance, Sr., 3.92, Mesa, AZ); Sarah Staropoli, NNU (Pre-Physical Therapy, Sr., 3.96, Beaverton, OR); Jennifer Field, NNU (Biology, Jr., 3.99, Nampa, ID).