Butler's Thompson, Cleveland State's Fazio win initial Scholar-Athlete of the Week awards
Aug. 28, 2006
INDIANAPOLIS -- Butler University senior Aaron Thompson (men's soccer) and Cleveland State University sophomore Liz Fazio (volleyball) have been named the first Horizon League Scholar-Athletes of the Week, League commissioner Jonathan B. LeCrone announced Tuesday (Aug. 29).
Thompson was a starting defender in both matches over the weekend as Butler won the Wright State University adidas Cup championship. He led BU's defensive effort which posted a 6-0 shutout against IPFW in Sunday's (Aug. 27) finale and also played a key role as the Bulldogs allowed only one goal in an overtime draw versus St. Mary's (Calif.) College on Friday night (Aug. 25). With Thompson on the field, BU has posted a 0.45 goals-against average so far in 2006.
Off the field, Thompson owns a 3.369 grade-point average as an accounting major. He was a member of the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll in each semester last year and also played on the Bulldog baseball team last spring.
Fazio earned all-tournament honors at the Temple University Invitational last weekend, averaging 4.45 kills and 4.73 points per game in leading the Vikings to a 2-1 record and second-place finish. She recorded a career-high 26 kills in the title match against host TU, and compiled a .294 attack percentage in three matches. She also added three aces plus 17 digs during the weekend.
The Horizon League instituted the Scholar-Athlete of the Week awards for this academic year as a way to recognize outstanding academic and athletic achievement by its student-athletes. To be eligible for the honor, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20 or better (on a 4.00 scale), have completed at least one year at the member institution and passed 24 semester or 36 quarter hours, and perform well during the week's competition. Winners are selected by a group of League faculty athletic representatives, from nominations provided by sports information directors.
OTHER MALE NOMINEES:
Javier Lopez, Loyola (soccer, senior, 3.30, marketing) started on defense in both of Loyola's matches last week. He anchored the back line which suffered a pair of 2-1 losses to Marquette University and DePaul University, while also taking three shots in the two contests.
Kwaku Gyimah, Wright State (soccer, sophomore, 3.495, biological science) assisted on the lone Raider goal in a 2-1 loss to St. Mary's (Calif.) College.
OTHER FEMALE NOMINEES:
Michelle DeGeeter, Butler (volleyball, juior, 3.433, pre-pharmacy) posted 13 kills without an error for a team-best .619 attack percentage, leading the Bulldogs to a victory in their season-opener versus Marian College on Friday. She also recorded four service aces and was responsible for a total of 19 points in the four games.
Mary Dale, Loyola (soccer, senior 3.45, sports management) scored the winning goal in the Ramblers' 1-0 victory over future League opponent Valparaiso University on Sunday. That tally moved her into a tie for second place on the school's all-time list with 19 career goals.
Lotte Rasmussen, UW-Green Bay (soccer, junior, 3.955, psychology) scored the match-winning goal in overtime versus Illinois State University, ending UWGB's seven-year losing streak against the Redbirds. Rasmussen's 40-yard shot over the goalkeeper was her second career match-winner at the school.
Steph Comisar, Wright State (soccer, senior, 3.270, accountancy) led the Raiders to a 1-1, overtime tie against 25th-ranked Nebraska on Friday, recording seven saves in 110 minutes. She held the Cornhuskers scoreless for the final 74 minutes, facing a total of 15 shots in the match.
