From Washington University Athletics
Washington University in St. Louis senior forward Lillie Toaspern was named to the 2014 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Women's College Division Scholar All-America First Team, as announced by the Association.
In addition, Toaspern earned NSCAA Scholar all-North/Central Region first-team honors, while senior back Tessa Delaney picked up third-team accolades. The duo was honored for their dual accomplishments on the field and in the classroom.
"We are extremely proud of Lillie for being awarded two of the highest honors the NSCAA can bestow upon an NCAA student-athlete, All-America and Academic All-America," said head coach Jim Conlon. "Part of the NCAA Division III philosophy reads "…highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the successful completion of all students' academic programs." Lillie and Tessa's efforts on the field and in the classroom room have allowed them to be more than an NCAA student-athlete but rather a scholar-champion."
Toaspern was a 2014 first-team NSCAA/Continental Tire All-American, all-Central Region and all-University Athletic Association (UAA) honoree. She is the eighth player in school history to earn first-team All-America accolades. The 2014 UAA Most Valuable Player, Toaspern led the team in scoring with nine goals and 11 assists for a UAA-best 29 points. She was also second in the conference in assists and third in goals scored.
Toaspern recorded a point in 14 of 19 games played, and notched game-winning goals against Principia College (Sept. 23) and the University of Rochester (Oct. 19). She earned UAA Athlete of the Week and Disney Soccer/NSCAA Division III National Player of the Week honors Sept. 23.
A four-time all-UAA and all-Central Region honoree, Toaspern started 79 of 81 games played in her career and ranks third in Washington University school history in points (113), fourth in assists (31), fifth in goals scored (41) and sixth in game-winning goals (11).
A two-time Academic All-UAA selection, she has a 3.51 GPA and will graduate in May with a degree in global health and environment and minors in environmental studies and psychology.
Delaney, a 2014 second-team all-UAA selection, started all 19 games on defense for the Bears. She anchored the back line that recorded 13 shutouts and allowed 10 goals. As a team, Washington University's goals against average of 0.51 ranked third in the UAA and 16th in NCAA Division III.
Delaney started 43 of 65 career games played, and scored her first career goal in a 5-0 win over Principia Sept. 23. A two-time NSCAA Scholar all-North/Central Region and three-time Academic all-UAA honoree, she has a 3.65 GPA and will graduate in May with a degree in biology.
"Lillie and Tessa found a balance of academics, athletics, and social life that has led to a fulfilling college experience and made friendships that will cherish for the rest of their life," Conlon added.
To be named to a Scholar All-America Team, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) throughout his or her career; start more than 50 percent of all games and be a significant contributor to the team; and be nominated by an institution that is a current NSCAA College Services member.