Fayette, Mo. - Six members of the Central Methodist Women's Soccer program earned 2024 CSC Academic All-District honors in the NAIA Division.
The six members to be recognized are Paula Castro, Kirstine Lykke, Delia Letelier, Kaede Yamaguchi, Minori Saze, and Renee Berak.
It marks the first time any of the six players have earned Academic All-District honors.
The awards' purpose is to recognize the nations' top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.
The CSC Academic All-America program is nominated and voted on by members of the CSC, which are the Sports Information Directors/Athletic Communication leaders from every NAIA institution.
Each school's district nominees must have met the following criteria to be eligible for the award: at least sophomore standing both athletically and academically; have maintained at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA; and be a starter or important reserve. For women's soccer, a maximum of six student-athletes may be submitted for consideration from each team.
Castro appeared in all 21 of Central's matches with 20 starts. The native of Madrid, Spain finished the season with two goals. She led the Heart of America with nine assists and was named a Heart First Team All-Conference selection. In the classroom Castro is an Exercise Science major.
Lykke also played in 21 of CMU's matches and made 20 starts. She had an outstanding final season, leading the conference in goals scored (16) and points (36). Six of her goals on the season proved to be game winners. Lykke also dished out four assists and finished the regular season with a pair of hat tricks. She earned Heart Second Team All-Conference honors for her play in 2024. Lykke is currently working towards a degree in Sports Management.
Letelier is a sophomore sociology major from Oslo, Norway. In her second season with the Eagles, Letelier played in all 21 matches for CMU and made 20 starts. She led her team to nine shutouts on the year and the Eagles' defense surrendered two or more goals just twice in 2024. For her efforts this fall, Letelier joined Lykke as a Heart All-Conference Second Team selection.
Yamaguchi was named to the Heart All-Conference Second Team in her final season with the Eagles. The senior captain appeared and started in all 21 of Central's matches and finished the year with three assists. She is currently majoring in Business.
Saze is the fifth Eagle to earn Academic All-District honors from CSC. The junior from Tokyo, Japan played in 21 matches with 19 starts in her first year with the program. She scored two goals and dished out three assists on her way to earning Heart Third Team All-Conference honors. Saze is a Business major.
Berak rounds out the Academic All-District selections for CMU. The graduate student is working to complete her masters in Clinical Counseling from CMU. In 2024, she completed her final season with Central, playing in all 21 games with 20 starts. She recorded an assist against Missouri Baptist (9/4).
To view the CSC release on the 2024-25 Women's Soccer Academic All-District Teams, please click here.
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