Spartan women’s soccer student-athletes named ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District

Courtesy of Aurora University, Sports Information Department

AURORA, Ill. -– The Aurora University Spartan women's soccer team had three players named to the ESPN the Magazine District V Academic All-District teams. To be considered for the honor, the nominated student-athletes are required to maintain a minimum 3.30 cumulative grade point average throughout their academic career at AU.

Spartans named to the 2008 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District V College Division Women's Soccer Teams are senior defender Heather Skeen (Loveland, CO/Loveland H.S.), junior midfielder Nikki Counsell (Oconomowoc, WI/Oconomowoc H.S.) and sophomore defender Cait Hartman (Parker, CO/Ponderosa H.S.). The team is selected by the district's Sports Information Directors.

Skeen, a First-Team selection for the second consecutive year, is a psychology and English major. She was a 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 Northern Athletics Conference Scholar-Athlete and is a key piece of the AU defense that has allowed 20 goals in 20 games (0.99 goals per game) and has 10 shutouts. Skeen moves on to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America ballot and will be among 94 College Division women's soccer players across the country eligible for the All-America Teams.

Third-Team selections include Nikki Counsell and Cait Hartman. Counsell is an elementary education major. She was a 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 Northern Athletics Conference Scholar-Athlete, 2006 and 2007 NAC All-Conference and 2006 NAC All-Rookie Team. On the season she has four goals and four assists.

Hartman is undecided currently for her major. She was a 2007-2008 Northern Athletics Conference Scholar-Athlete and 2007 NAC Rookie of the Year and NAC All-Rookie Team. On the season she is a key piece of the AU defense that has allowed 20 goals in 20 games (0.99 goals per game) and has 10 shutouts.

The Spartans are currently 15-5 overall and 2008 Northern Athletics Conference Champions with an 11-1 record. AU will be the #1 seed and host throughout the upcoming NAC Tournament. Next action for the Spartan women's soccer team comes on Wednesday, November 5, 2008, when they host the semi-final round of the NAC Women's Soccer Tournament. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. on Vago Field against a team to be determined after the opening round games.

The ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District teams are selected by CoSIDA member Sports Information Directors within the district based on the student-athletes' academic prowess while being a steady influence on their respective athletic field.