Schmidt Picks Up United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America Honors

Schmidt Picks Up United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America Honors

Webster University men's soccer junior defender Justin Schmidt (St. Louis, Mo./Metro) was named a Third-Team selection to the 2018 NCAA Division III United Soccer Coaches (USC) Scholar All-America Team that was announced earlier this week by the organization.

Schmidt, who was named a Second-Team United Soccer Coaches 2018 NCAA Division III Scholar All-North/Central Region selection on Monday, earns a spot on the NCAA Division III Scholar All-American Team Third Team after earning a 3.51 cumulative grade point average in film production. 

On the season, Schmidt, who was recently named a repeat Second-Team All-Central Region selection by the United Soccer Coaches, served on one of the anchors on a Webster defensive unit that allowed just 13 goals in 20 matches and posted a school record 15 shutouts, including allowing just eight goals and posting six shutouts in SLIAC play. Schmidt and the Gorloks opened the season by posting seven consecutive shutouts and had eight shutouts in its first nine matches. He was second on the team in minutes played as he played 1,474 minutes and played in and started 17 matches on the year. Schmidt, who repeated the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and was also a repeat first-team All-SLIAC selection in 2018, also had one assist, recorded seven shots and had three shots on goal.

Over the past two seasons, Webster's defense that has been anchored by Schmidt has allowed just a total of 34 goals and has recorded 22 shutouts. In league play over the last two seasons, Webster has allowed a total of 13 goals and has had 11 shutouts.

With his selection, Schmidt becomes just the second Webster soccer player to earn Scholar All-American honors from the United Soccer Coaches as former women's soccer player Ashley Mess was tabbed a Women's Third-Team Scholar All-America selection in 2015. 

The 2018 Division III Men's Scholar All-American Team features 37 players from 32 different NCAA Division III institutions as three schools had multiple selections to one of the three teams. The schools with multiple selections were Tufts (3), University of Chicago (2) and Messiah (2). In addition, Schmidt is the only player named a Scholar All-American from the SLIAC and one of only two players from the state of Missouri honored as WashU senior forward Ryan Sproule was named a third team selection. 

To be named a Scholar All-American, a student-athlete must maintain a 3.30 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or better throughout their career; started more than 50 percent of all games and significantly contribute to their team; nominated by head coach of current College Services member institution; be a Junior or above in academic standing; and, if a transfer student, in second year at school.

STORY COURTESY OF WEBSTER UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION