By Jim Fryar
jfryar@joplinglobe.com
Nikki Llewellyn is MSSU's first All-America women's soccer player.
It could be the start of a trend, coach Trevor Wachsman said.
"Nikki is a talented and intelligent player and this honor is a reflection of her teammates' efforts as well," Wachsman said. "We have a lot of gifted student-athletes and hopefully, Nikki will just be the first of many All-Americans at Missouri Southern."
Her Lion teammates deserve plenty of credit for the award, Llewellyn emphasized.
"Some of the goals I scored, I would be just in the middle and the balls that we given to me were unbelievable," Llewellyn said. "I think there are other girls on the team who deserve this just as much as I do."
Llewellyn, from O'Fallon, Mo., was a second-team selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
The honor was a complete shock, she said. "I wasn't expecting it at all."
She led the Lions in both goals (six) and assists (five) during her sophomore season. She helped spark Missouri Southern to its first NCAA Division II postseason appearance.
The Lions had an 11-4-5 record and placed second in the MIAA at 9-2-3.
After just two seasons, Llewellyn ranks third on the Southern career goal-scoring charts (20) and fourth in career points (47). She was an all-MIAA selection after winning MVP honors as a freshman, and was an all-Central Region player.
"Last year, she had a ton of offense. She scored a lot of goals," Wachsman said. "But I really believe that, as with many of our other players, she probably played better overall soccer this year than as a freshman. ... She had more assists. Defensively, she also improved.
"I really think that recognition is a reflection of not just herself, but her teammates," Wachsman continued. "We have a lot of great players on the team. If we continue to do well as a team, we have players of a caliber that we may see other names on that All-American list at some point."
Llewellyn was equally strong in the classroom. She has a 3.9 grade-point average in accounting.
Honors continue to roll in during the Lions' postseason.
Wachsman learned Wednesday that Missouri Southern received the NSCAA ethics award for the fourth straight year. That award is earned by having 10 or fewer yellow cards during a season.
Missouri Southern also received a team academic award for a 3.62 grade-point average for the previous school year.
Jessica Buhman, the lone senior on the roster, is an All-American scholar-athlete for all college levels.
Amy Davis, Ashley Turner and Erin Gfeller are honorable mention all-Central Region scholar athletes.
Sports
December 14, 2006
MSSU soccer player named All-American
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
- Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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