Jason Waterman (communication science), Nathan Dean (economics) and Matt Wescoe (political science) have been honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for their academic and athletic performances.
Three members of the Elon University men’s soccer team were selected to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Scholar All-America teams.
Junior Jason Waterman (second team) earned his second Academic All-American award of the postseason while senior Matt Wescoe (third team) and junior Nathan Dean (third team) were recognized for the first time.
Elon had more selections on the NSCAA Scholar All-America teams than any other institution after Dean, Waterman and Wescoe received NSCAA Scholar All-South Region honors earlier in the week. The Phoenix also set a program-high for Academic All-Americans in a single season and has six overall in school history.
Waterman was named an Academic All-American after being selected to the Capital One Academic All-American Third Team on Nov. 26 after a terrific junior campaign. A communication science major, Waterman led the Phoenix with 31 points on the year (team-high 12 goals and seven assists), ranking among the top-10 in the nation in total points. He scored the game-winning goal in the Phoenix’s 1-0 double overtime win over Wofford in the Southern Conference championship match that gave the maroon and gold its third straight league tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth.
A two-time SoCon Player of the Week performer in 2013, Dean was selected to the Capital One All-District 3 first team by the College of Sports Information Directors of America. The Liverpool, England, native and economics major played all but five minutes between the posts for the maroon and gold and had six clean sheets on the year, moving into third place on the program’s all-time career list with 16. He was also tabbed the league’s Student-Athlete of the Week on Oct. 9 and named first team All-SoCon this season.
Wescoe was named to the NSCAA Scholar All-South Region team for the second straight season earlier this week. The Willow Springs, N.C., native and political science major was also a Capital One Academic All-District 3 first team selection last season and ranked third on the team in points this year with 17 (five goals, team-best seven assists). Wescoe also tied the team-lead in game winners with three, including a goal in the Phoenix’s 5-1 win over Georgia Southern in the semifinals of the SoCon Tournament. Wescoe received second team All-SoCon accolades this season and finished his career at Elon in the top-10 in career assists.
The trio joins Steven Kinney (2009), Clint Irwin (2009, 2010) and James Carroll (2011) as members of the program to earn Academic All-American laurels.
To be named to a Scholar All-America Team, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) throughout his or her career, start more than 50 percent of all games and be a significant contributor to the team and be nominated by an institution that is a current NSCAA College Services member.