Friday, December 8, 2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Ending their Western Washington career with another postseason run, Vikings’ seniors Emily Webster and Sierra Shugarts finish the year as selections to the 2017 United Soccer Coaches Division II Women’s Scholar All-America Team.

Representing the GNAC on the national level, Webster garnered first-team honors while Shugarts was a second-team selection. Earlier this morning, the two were named First Team Scholar All-West Region selections while Central Washington senior forward Mackenzie Nolte landed on the second team.

On the men’s side, Northwest Nazarene junior midfielder Alex Mitrovic and Montana State Billings junior midfielder Guillaume Kremer were selected to the 2017 Scholar All-West Region Team as well.

Webster boasts a 3.49 GPA as an education major. A four-time all-GNAC selection, she played in all 20 contests this season. Along with her goal and six assists (fourth best in the league), her stability in the midfield aided a high-flying Vikings’ attack that netted a league-high 55 goals. Along with her selection to the 2017 D2CCA All-America Team, Webster is a three-time First Team All-GNAC honoree and was the 2016 GNAC Defensive Player of the Year.

A three-time all-GNAC selection, Shugarts led Western Washington to a league-high 14 shutouts. Taking courses to fulfill an interdisciplinary studies degree, the defender has maintained a 3.35 GPA throughout four seasons with the Vikings. The senior overcame an early-season injury to anchor a defense that allowed just eight goals, helping the Vikings to a 0.40 goals against average and a .700 shutout percentage, good for sixth in the nation. Shugarts added a goal and an assist to go along with her defensive efforts.

Studying psychology, Nolte ends her career as Central Washington’s all-time leading point-getter with 66 and sports a 3.66 GPA. Nolte was selected to her fourth all-GNAC squad this season after leading the team and tying for sixth in the GNAC with 19 points. The senior was one of three Wildcats to start every game this season, leading the team with nine goals and 1,514 minutes played.

Mitrovic appeared in 10 games this season, logging 742 minutes for a Nighthawks team that finished tied for third in the GNAC with 18 points. The junior currently holds a 3.77 GPA and is studying business. Key in the Yellowjackets’ midfield this season, Kremer was a First Team All-GNAC selection this season, leading MSUB with nine goals and five assists. His 23 points ranked fourth in the league. Like Mitrovic, Kremer is a business major who boasts a 3.73 GPA.

Student-athletes receiving Scholar All-America/Regional recognition must hold a 3.30 cumulative grade point average or throughout their career, start more than 50 percent of all games, significantly contribute to their team and be a junior (or above) academic standing. Players on this year’s Scholar All-America Teams will be formally acknowledged for their accomplishments at the All-America Luncheon on Jan. 20, 2018 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.