Worcester, MA --- Worcester State women's soccer student-athlete Nikki Scott (Berlin, MA) has been named to the Capital One Academic Division III All-District I first team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (Co-SIDA). The senior advances to the national ballot for All-America consideration.
Scott is the first Lancer to receive All-District I honors since women's soccer standout Michelle Astuccio was selected with third-team accolades in the fall of 2006 and 2008. Along with WPI's Hailey Taylor, she was one of four defenders chosen on the squad that was comprised of 12 first-teamers from schools in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.
The three-time All-MASCAC Academic honoree, sports an impressive 3.92 cumulative GPA as she has been on the Worcester State Student-Athlete Academic Honor Roll in every semester enrolled and on the dean's list seven times. Scott, who transferred from UMass Amherst, is in her senior year of eligibility. She is taking classes this semester to earn her master's degree.
Scott has been a key member of the women's soccer that has made four post-season appearances each of the last four campaigns with semifinals appearances in 2008 and 2009 and the MASCAC Tournament Championship in 2010. Along with seven goals and four assists for 18 career points, the 2010 All-MASCAC first-team selection has helped WSU post 29 shutouts in 66 games played.
The Lancers will be vying for their sixth conference tournament crown tomorrow against Westfield State at 4:30 PM at Coughlin Field. This season Scott has helped the Blue and Gold lead the MASCAC in goals allowed (14) and goals against average (0.81) while they are also 13th in New England in GAA as of this past Monday.
CoSIDA, which began its recognition of NCAA scholar-athletes in the 1950's, has honored more than 15,000 deserving athletes across all divisions in 12 sports. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a starter or a key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.
This marks the first year that the College Division (Non-Division I) has been expanded to include Divisions II, III, the NAIA, Canadian schools and two-year institutions. The regions were also spread out to include eight distinct geographic locations across the United States.