St. Edward’s University senior women’s soccer player Kim Abbott was named First Team Women’s NCAA Division II All-American by the NSCAA on Dec. 9, 2009.

Abbott helped the women’s soccer team advance to the NCAA Championship Sweet 16 for the first time in school history, while ending the season with a 16-3-3 record.

This season, she led the Hilltoppers in shots, tied for first in goals and assisted the team as both a defender and a forward.

Abbott scored a hat trick, two game-winning goals and defensively limited opponents to only six goals the entire season.

Over the course of the season, she was also named Heartland Conference Player of the Week five times.

While Abbott said she appreciates the recognition, she credits the award to her team. 

“Soccer is a team sport, so any individual award has to be attributed to the team,” Abbott said. “I couldn’t have possibly received this award without my teammates dedicating themselves to the team and battling for the win in each game we played.”After making it to the playoffs, Abbott was named First Team All-Region and was nominated by Head Coach Nick Cowell to be eligible for First Team All-American.

There are 12 spots per team for both the men and women’s first, second and third teams for Div. I, II and III. On each team, a certain number of spots are delegated for each field position. 

Abbott said she was invited to the NSCAA convention and banquet in Philadelphia to receive her award with the other All-Americans.

Abbott said it was great to have ended her collegiate career on a high note.

While this was Abbott’s last year with the St. Edward’s women’s soccer team, she says that during her four years, she has learned about leadership, teamwork and resilience.

“In my senior year, I learned that if people come together towards a collective goal and believe in it and dedicate themselves to it, then you accomplish things bigger than you thought possible,” Abbott said.

The St. Edward’s women’s soccer team was also awarded the NSCAA/Adidas Team Academic Award with a team grade-point average of 3.62. The Hilltoppers are ranked second in all of Div. II for their GPA and are ranked sixth in the national standings in all divisions.