Women’s Soccer: Two Honored for Academics
November 01, 2007 02:01 PM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
November 1, 2007
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| Banks | Kallman |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University women’s soccer players Ashley Banks and Krystle Kallman have been named to ESPN The Magazine’s Academic All-District women’s soccer team announced College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) officials today.
Banks, a forensic and investigative science major, and Kallman, an accounting major, were two of only 23 student-athletes to earn honors in the University Division of District 2. District 2 covers all universities in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
“It is great to see Ashley and Krystle recognized for their efforts in the classroom,” said Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “While they both have had tremendous seasons on the field, they also understand the importance of getting a quality education. As a coach, it brings a smile to my face to see these ladies act like the true student-athletes that they are.”
The Academic All-District nod is the second for Banks, also named to the 2006 team. A senior from Annandale, Va., Banks is finishing up one of the finest seasons in Mountaineer soccer history. The forward has scored at least one point in 12 of 18 games this season and leads the BIG EAST in goals with 13. West Virginia is 35-2 all-time when Banks scores at least one point in a match. She is one of two players in WVU history to record 30 goals and 25 assists in her career, joining All-American Katie Barnes. Banks ranks in the top five all-time at WVU in three major offensive categories – 32 goals (3rd), 26 assists (3rd) and 90 points (3rd).
Kallman, the reigning BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week, has been solid all year at center back for the Mountaineer defense. A junior from Woodbury, Minn., Kallman has also scored a goal and tallied an assist for three points this season. Last weekend in a 2-0 win over USF, the West Virginia defense held the Bulls to zero shots on the night, the third time in school history and first time ever against a BIG EAST team. The shutout was the eighth of season for WVU’s defense.
To qualify for the all-academic teams, student-athletes must have a minimum GPA of 3.21. Student-athletes are nominated by their respective sports information directors and are voted on by members of CoSIDA. Banks, a first-team selection, is now eligible for All-America consideration.
