THREE UNLV WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT
Courtney Botelho named all-district first team for second straight year
For the third time in three years, UNLV had at least three players voted to the Capital One Academic All-District VIII Women’s Soccer teams, the organization of sports information directors (CoSIDA) announced on Thursday. UNLV placed three in 2011, and a school-record four in 2012. Two Rebels were named for the third straight year as Courtney Botelho made a repeat appearance on the first team, while Kylie Wassell was a second team selection. Samantha Weber earned her first-ever academic all-district honor as well.
Botelho, a senior midfielder from Molilani, Hawaii, was also a second-team selection her sophomore season. Despite missing several games this year with an ankle injury, Botelho has posted four points (one goal, two assists), and was an All-Mountain West selection a year ago. She also earned Academic All-MW the past two years as well, and has been on the Dean’s List every semester eligible. She holds a 3.93 cumulative GPA with a major in kinesiology.
Wassell, a senior and Las Vegas native, is a second-team selection for the second time after earning first team all-district and third team academic All-American status a year ago. She has started every game in goal over the past four seasons, and was the only goalkeeper to be named All-MW in 2012. Her 10 shutouts as a junior is tied for the school record, and she has 24 in her career, which is tied for second in team history. This season Wassell has a 1.20 GAA with 76 saves and five shutouts. A secondary education major, she has had a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA every single semester, and was the first player in team history to be a Senior CLASS Award nominee, one of only 30 in the nation.
Weber, a redshirt sophomore defender and native of Tempe, Ariz., was selected to the second team. Her 16 starts this season is the fourth-highest total on the team, and she has helped the Rebels post five shutouts in 2013. She holds a 3.87 GPA while majoring in kinesiology, and was named to both the Academic All-MW and MW All-Scholar teams a year ago.
Student-athletes must be in at least their second season, hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 and be a starter or important reserve to be eligible for the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District teams. District VIII is made up of schools in California, Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada and Utah.