Huskers Tie for League Lead with 14 Academic All-Big 12 Selections

The Nebraska soccer team made a mark among the conference schools on the 2009 Academic All-Big 12 Team, as the Huskers had 14 student-athletes named to the squad, announced Tuesday by the league office. Nebraska's total ties Oklahoma State for the most of any team.

Senior Shay Powell led the impressive group of Huskers as one of 11 Big 12 soccer student-athletes who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. In the process, she earned her third consecutive first-team award, an achievement matched by classmates Anna Caniglia, Brittney Lanier and Carly Peetz.

All six seniors were named to the first team, as Julie Berkshire and Lauren Isenhower also gained top accolades, in addition to former Husker Shannon Dickerson, whose athletic career was cut short due to an injury.

Junior Anna White and sophomore Katie Goetzmann each obtained first-team honors for the second consecutive year, while sophomore Alexa Cardona and juniors Jessica Mills and Jaclyn White earned the first awards of their career.

Junior Michaella Fulmer and sophomore Blair Slapper were named to the second team, bringing Nebraska's total to 14, the second-most selections the Huskers have ever had on the Academic All-Big 12 Team (15 in 2008).

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices, the Academic All-Big 12 squad required first-team members to have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and the second team to have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA either cumulative or the two previous semesters. She must have also participated in 60 percent of her team's scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.

The Huskers are currently preparing for the first round of the 2009 Big 12 Championship, as No. 4 Nebraska faces No. 5 Oklahoma State on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. The postseason conference tournament takes place at Blossom Soccer Stadium in San Antonio, Texas.

2009 Academic All-Big 12 First Team
Julie Berkshire, Sr., Omaha, Neb. (Business Administration)
Anna Caniglia, Sr., Omaha, Neb. (Marketing)
Alexa Cardona, So., Lincoln, Neb. (Business Administration)
Shannon Dickerson, Sr., Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Marketing)
Katie Goetzmann, So. Omaha, Neb. (Business Administration)
Lauren Isenhower, Sr., Lenexa, Kan. (International Business)
Brittney Lanier, Sr., Carrollton, Texas (Classics and Religious Studies)
Jessica Mills, Jr., Houston, Texas (Biological Systems)
Carly Peetz, Sr., Lincoln, Neb. (Advertising)
Shay Powell, Sr., Dallas, Texas (Psychology)*
Anna White, Jr., Warrensburg, Mo. (Child, Youth and Family Studies)
Jaclyn White, Jr., Long Beach, Calif. (Accounting)

2009 Academic All-Big 12 First Team
Michaella Fulmer, Jr., Lee's Summit, Mo. (Accounting)
Blair Slapper, So. Prairie Village, Kan. (Marketing)
*Indicates a 4.0 grade-point average­