Loyola's Zyga, Valparaiso's Thomas earn soccer Academic All-America recognition

Nov. 20, 2007

Complete Release in PDF Format

Indianapolis, Ind. --Loyola University Chicago senior Markian Zyga and Valparaiso University junior Jackie Thomas received Academic All-America recognition from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) earlier this week, putting them among 33 men and 33 women to be so honored by the organization. The awards are sponsored by ESPN the Magazine.

Zyga was honored on the Second Team for the men, with Thomas gaining Third-Team distinction on the women's side.

Zyga posted one goal and two assists for the Ramblers, who captured the Horizon League's regular-season championship with a 5-1-2 loop record as part of a 10-5-4 overall mark. Zyga played a key role in the Rambler defense that logged a school-record ten shutouts in 2007 and also netted the match-winning goal in Loyola's 1-0 victory over the University of San Diego in the championship match of the Torero Classic last month. He holds a 3.87 grade-point average as a finance major.

The Hinckley, Ohio, native appeared in 15 matches for Loyola this fall and is the first player in program history to win Academic All-America honors.

Thomas led the Crusaders with four goals and nine points in 2007. All four goals were match-winners, helping Valpo to a 10-9-0 overall record in the school's first season in the Horizon League. The native of Overland Park, Kan. also helped the Crusaders set a new school standard with eight shutouts in 2007, while posting a team 0.99 goals-against average.

A Second-Team All-League selection on the field, Thomas was the only Crusader to start all 19 matches this year and becomes the first Academic All-America honoree in program history. In the classroom, she boasts a 3.85 GPA in public relations and sports management.

Jacksonville University forward Anton Axelsson received Academic All-America of the Year honors for the men, currently ranking second in the nation with 16 goals this season. Indiana University goalkeeper Chay Cain anchors the men's team, with defenders Jeff Stepan of St. John's University, Todd Reedy of Bradley University, Daniel Newell of the U.S. Military Academy, Mike Gelatt of Liberty University, and Matt Hatzke of Santa Clara University. The midfield includes Dartmouth College's Nick Christman, the University of Maryland's Stephen King, and the College of William & Mary's Ryan Overdevest, along with forwards Axelsson, George Josten of Gonzaga University and Chris Wright from the University of New Mexico.

On the women's side, defender Rachel Buehler was tabbed as the Academic All-America of the Year after leading Stanford University to a top seed in the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship. The Cardinal is one of 16 teams still alive in the tournament, which resumes this weekend. Joining Buehler on the Academic All-America First Team are University of Louisville goalkeeper Joanna Haig, along with defenders Kate Murphy of the University of Memphis, Kyleyn Felts of Arizona State Universitry and Sue Weber from Hofstra University.

The midfield features Lindsey Ozimek from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Ashley Jones of the University of Notre Dame and Shauna Stapleton of Purdue University. Forwards Brittany Bisnott of Niagara University, Kari Weniger of the U.S. Naval Academy and Ashley Banks of West Virginia University round out the team.

###

Note: The CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America Teams can be found in the PDF version of this release.