Caroline Van Slambrouck Named to Academic All-America Squad

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas senior defender Caroline Van Slambrouck was named to the Scholar All-America Second Team it was announced Wednesday by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Van Slambrouck became the third KU soccer player and the second in two years to find her name on the prestigious list, which recognizes just 33 of the nation’s top collegiate soccer players per season, for their performances on the field and in the classroom.
 
“I couldn’t be prouder of Caroline and all that she’s accomplished this season,” said head coach Mark Francis. “She’s not only an exceptional talent on the soccer field but has also proven that she is one of the nation’s top performers in the classroom, as well. We have been very fortunate to have her associated with this program.”
 
An English major who carries a cumulative GPA of 3.66, Van Slambrouck has been a three-time selection of the Academic All-Big 12 First Team. She is the third Jayhawk to be named an Academic All-American after Kansas soccer greats Caroline Smith, who was twice named to the second team in 2004 and 2005, and Caroline Kastor, who earned a third-team nod in 2012.
 
A native of Kingwood, Texas, Van Slambrouck played in 78 of 80 games as a Jayhawk, including 20 of 21 matches during the 2014 season as one of the Jayhawks’ central defenders. With her help, the KU defense allowed the fewest regular-season goals (12) in the Big 12 and tallied the third-lowest goals-against average in school history at 0.80 opponent goals per game.
 
The postseason has been full of academic awards for the 2014 Jayhawks. For the 11th-consecutive year, KU earned a Team Academic Award from the NSCAA after boasting a team GPA of 3.19 for the 2013-14 academic year. Kansas also featured eight selections to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team this season and added Van Slambrouck’s NSCAA Scholar All-America distinction this week.
 
Kansas finished the 2014 season at 15-6-0 overall and third in the Big 12 with a 5-3-0 record. The Jayhawks advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time but fell to the Missouri Tigers in the first round match played in Lawrence.