TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Jenna Nighswonger was named the ACC Scholar-Athlete of the year, and a program-high 13 Florida State soccer players earned a spot on the All-ACC Academic Team on Wednesday. Leading the group was two-time honorees Lauren Flynn, Nighswonger, Beata Olsson, Maria Alagoa, Clara Robbins and Cristina Roque. Joining them are defenders Heather Gilchrist and Sophia Nguyen, midfielders Ran Iwai and Leilanni Nesbeth, and forwards Emma Bissell, Olivia Garcia, and Kaitlyn Zipay.
The minimum academic requirements for selection to the All-ACC Academic Team are a 3.0 grade point average for the previous semester and a 3.0 cumulative average during one’s academic career. Athletic achievements – including playing in at least 50 percent of a team’s games – during the most recent season are also considered in selecting the All-ACC Academic Team.
“This is what its all about. The ACC has top-level players and top-level academic institutions, so for Jenna to be named the absolute best of the best is truly a special honor for her,” Head Coach Brian Pensky said. “For so many of our athletes to be recognized is a tribute to how self-invested they are as individuals both on and off the field.”
Nighswonger, a business finance major, scored 19 goals and 34 assists in her incredible career and was named the 2022 United Soccer Coaches Scholar Player of the Year. She recorded 16 assists this past season and 34 in her time in Tallahassee, both second-most in school history. NJ/NY Gotham FC selected her fourth overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft where she’ll begin her professional career.
Flynn, a political science major, played the second-most minutes on the team this past season as one of the main center-backs. Her on-field performances earned her several honors including being named to the TopDrawerSoccer Best XI Second Team. She’ll return next fall as one of the most experienced defenders.
Olsson, an environment and society major, scored 6 goals and 3 assists this past season including the game-winner against Pittsburgh in the Third Round of the NCAA Tournament. She earned an All-ACC Third Team honor along with being named the NCAA Elite 90 Winner. The dangerous forward will return next season to add to her 27 career goals.
Alagoa, a business marketing major, contributed 3 goals and 3 assists including scoring her first career goal against Rice. She was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team and will look to man the…