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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Six Illini soccer student-athletes earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors, the organization announced on Tuesday.
Senior midfielder Kennedy Berschel (mechanical engineering), junior defender Ella Karolak (psychology) and junior midfielder Sydney Stephens (early childhood education) all earned the award for the second-straight season while sophomore forward Lia Howard (communication), sophomore defender Ellen Persson (natural resources and environmental sciences) and senior forward Makala Woods (political science) all earned the honor for the first time in their careers.
Berschel posted career-best marks in goals (2) and assists (2) this season and Karolak registered one assist and played in all 1,530 minutes of action, anchoring a defense that kept three clean sheets.
Stephens ranked second on the team in goals (4) and points (10) and scored a brace against Pepperdine, including the match winner.
Howard led the squad with 14 points (5 G, 4 A) and scored match-winning goals at No. 17 Xavier and at Louisville.
Persson started 16 of 17 matches, picking up her first-career assist at Ohio State, and played in 1,486 minutes.
Woods tallied three goals, matching her career-best mark, and also assisted on a career-high three goals during the season.
ABOUT THE AWARD
The 2023 Academic All-District Women’s Soccer Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
All-District honorees advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced in early December.