Thursday, June 3, 2021

AUSTIN, Texas – Representing Northwest Nazarene and Seattle Pacific with success on the pitch and in the classroom, four GNAC women’s soccer players earned selection to the 2020-21 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District 8 Team.

The Nighthawks and Falcons each had a pair of honorees. Earning the honor from Northwest Nazarene are senior defender Jade Zimmer and senior forward Rikki Myers. Selections from Seattle Pacific include junior defender Mariah Alexander and senior forward Sophia Chilczuk.

Zimmer owns a 3.82 GPA as a global business and marketing major. She helped to anchor a Nighthawk backline that led all GNAC teams this spring with five goals allowed and a 0.45 goals against average. The Nighthawks completed their perfect season with an 11-0-0 record, which included seven shutouts and eight wins over conference opponents.

A wildlife biology major with a 3.64 GPA, Myers was a cornerstone of the Nighthawks’ offense. She finished the COVID-shifted season ranked tied for third with 36 shots and tied for fourth with five assists. Myers’ lone goal of the season was a game-winner against Western Oregon at home on March 29.

A business administration major, Alexander is one of two selections with a perfect 4.00 GPA. She scored three goals on the season on just seven shots as the Falcons went 8-0-1.

With a 3.92 GPA as a physiology major, Chilczuk spearheaded the Falcons’ offense, leading all conference players with 10 goals and 28 points while ranking tied for first with eight assists and 38 shots. She scored a goal in seven of her eight matches, including three straight two-goal performances to open the season.

The GNAC competed with the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and Pacific West conferences for selections to the 15-player Academic All-District 8 Team. The CCAA led the way with eight selections while the GNAC had four and the PacWest had three.

The Academic All-District teams are nominated and voted upon by members of CoSIDA and recognize student-athletes of sophomore standing or higher who are starters or significant reserves for their teams with a minimum GPA of 3.30 or better. The players selected will be put up for consideration for the Academic All-America Team.