Emory University junior midfielder Kelly Costopoulos was named to the Capital One Academic All-America Second Team, while junior defender Lauren Gorodetsky was named to the Third Team, based on their performances both in the classroom and on the field during the 2012 season.
Costopoulos and Gorodetsky become the 134th and 135th Academic All-Americans in the history of Emory Athletics, and the sixth and seventh Academic All-Americans in the history of the women's soccer program, joining former Eagles Amy Carter (1996), Andrea Pawliczek (1999, 2000, 2001), Annie Schenck (2000, 2001), Emily Fedeles (2007) and Emily Rubin (2010). It also marked the third time in the program's history that the team has featured multiple Academic All-Americans in the same year (2000, 2001).
Costopoulos, a co-captain for the Eagles this season, leads all Emory players with four game-winning goals (ranking 85th in Division III), and is tied for the team lead with eight total scores during the campaign. Appearing in all 22 Emory games and starting 19, she has assisted on three goals as well for a total of 19 points, the third-best total on the squad. Earlier in the year, Costopoulos was named to the all-University Athletic Association (UAA) second team, the second all-conference honor of her career. Costopoulos, from Boca Raton, FL (Boca Raton Community), has a 3.98 GPA as a Biology major during her time at Emory.
Gorodetsky earned the UAA Most Valuable Player for the second-straight season in 2012, as the center back was a key player on an Emory defense that ranks ninth in Division III with a 0.416 goals-against average and 17th with a 0.636 shutout percentage. She has started all 22 games for the Eagles' backline, which has recorded 13 shutouts and limited opponents to 6.5 shots and 3.3 shots on goal per game. Gorodetsky, the only active player named to the UAA All-25 Year Women's Soccer Team, has also assisted on four goals this season. The Palm City, FL (Jensen Beach) native has a 3.85 GPA as a Psychology major.
Academic all-Americans are selected from the pool of Academic All-District first team honorees by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.
Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 16,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports. For more information about the Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com.
Emory, 14-1-7 during the 2012 campaign, will face Wheaton College (Ill.) in the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship in San Antonio, Texas on Friday, November 30th at 6:00 PM ET.