Women's Soccer United Soccer Coaches Scholar Awards

Steffens & White Earn Academic Accolades from United Soccer Coaches

Both Titans named to Scholar All-Region squads, Steffens named Scholar All-America

12/15/2022 2:13:00 PM

United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America Release
United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-Region Release

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Fifth-year seniors Caelyn Steffens (Normal, Ill.-Normal Community) and Rachel White (Naperville, Ill.-Waubonsie Valley) of the Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team have earned academic distinction by the United Soccer Coaches, Dec.14 and 15. Steffens and White were named to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-North/Central Region teams, with Steffens notching first team distinction and White named to the Second Team. Steffens was also tabbed to the Scholar All-America First Team.

Including Steffens, the Titans have been awarded United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America eight times. Only one Titan has earned the distinction twice, in Mary Kate Schimdt during the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

In order to be honored, a student-athlete must be nominated by their head coach, play for a current United Soccer Coaches College Services member, be a junior or above in athletic standing at the current institution, be in their second year at the current institution if a transfer student, have at least a 3.40 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) throughout their career, play a minimum of 75 percent of games during the season of nomination, and be an elite player as supported by playing honors (i.e., All-American, All-Region, minimum all-conference).

Steffens, a two-time All-American, graduated this month garnering a 3.45 GPA, with a health promotions and fitness management degree and minor in psychology. Most recently, Steffens was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-American Second Team, Nov. 30, after being named to the United Soccer Coaches All-District VIII First Team, Nov. 29. This past season the Normal, Ill. native left her mark as she holds the conference record for most goals and points in a conference-only season with 15 goals and 32 points. Steffens is also IWU's offensive leader for the past four seasons and a three-time College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Offensive Player of the Year.

White also graduated this December. A marketing major with a minor in sports management, White held a 3.67 GPA. A co-captain, White was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region VIII Second Team on Nov. 29, a first in the Naperville, Ill. native's career. She was also named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, Nov. 15, in addition to CCIW Defensive Player of the Week earlier in the season.

This past season, the two super-seniors led the Titans to outright CCIW Regular Season and Tournament Championship in the same season, a first for the women's soccer program. In addition, White and Steffens helped IWU to its 13th NCAA Tournament appearance.

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