AUSTIN, Texas - After being named to the Capital One Academic All-District First Team for the second time in his career in late October, senior defender Lars Zimmermann has earned a spot on the Capital One Academic All-America® First Team, marking the first Trojan in program history to be honored on the first team.
Zimmermann was the lone member from the South Atlantic Conference and one of three players from the Southeast Region to land on the first team. Joining the Malente, Germany native on the first team from the Southeast Region were Lees-McRae's James Smith and Ilija Ilic from Young Harris.
Named the team's captain for the second straight season, Zimmermann started in Anderson's backline for all 18 matches this season, as he contributed to six clean sheets on the year. From his position in defense, Zimmermann scored three goals, including two game-winners and an equalizer, while also handing out an assist. Zimmermann's 13 shots on the year ranked seventh on the team, as he totaled while also placing seven shots on goal.
"I am extremely proud of Lars and this accomplishment, but certainly not surprised," Anderson head coach Michael Zion said. "His consistent commitment to being a top-level student athlete and his relentless work rate has not gone unnoticed. Lars has been an unbelievable representative of AU men's soccer over the last three years and I thank him for that."
For his career, Zimmermann has claimed six conference honors, headlined by being named to the All-SAC First Team in back-to-back seasons to close his career. Last season, the defender was picked to the Daktronics All-Southeast Region First Team, and will likely be picked for the honor this season making his third appearance for his career on either the first or second teams.
In the classroom, Zimmermann carried a 3.90 GPA while majoring in business. He has made the Anderson University Dean's List four times and is a member of Delta Mu Delta, the International Honor Society in Business.
Capital One 2014 Academic All-America ® Men's Soccer Team Division II
Academic All-America® of the Year: Elvind Austboe, LIU Post
FIRST TEAM
GK-Kevin Leib, St. Edward's
D-Gehrig Haberstock (2), Harding
D-Ryan Lawhead, Missouri Science & Technology
D-Jonathan Lupinelli, Southern New Hampshire
D-Lars Zimmermann, Anderson (S.C.)
M-Conor Branson, Charleston
M-James Smith, Lees-McRae
M-Jacob Stevens (1), Harding
F-Eivind Austboe (1,!), LIU Post
F-Robbie Bennett, Gannon
F-Ilija Ilic (1), Young Harris
SECOND TEAM
GK-Manuel Schoenhuber, Saint Leo
D-Javier Gallardo, New York Institute of Technology
D-Christopher Garavaglia (3), Quincy
D-Dane Nielsen, Cal State Los Angeles
D-Mike Lee, Drury
M-Nico Gerke, Barry
M-Shane Panther, Cal State Los Angeles
M-James Roberts, Colorado, Colorado Springs
F-Sam Miles (3), UNC Pembroke
F-Erik Pajunk, Barton
F-Ethan Venvertloh (1), Quincy
THIRD TEAM
GK-Johannes Sterobo, Northwood (Mich.)
D-Maik Brandt, Fort Lewis
D-Keegan Campbell, Southern New Hampshire
D-Stan Schrock, Colorado Mesa
D-Nick Watson, Fresno Pacific
M-Daniel Garcia Jr., Cal Poly Pomona
M-Richard Garvey, Colorado School of Mines
M-Ben Jones, Lenoir-Rhyne
F-Craig Neal, Saginaw Valley State
F-Ovan Oakley, Concordia (N.Y.)
F-Sean Russell, Seattle Pacific
F-Sebastian Stezewski, Southern New Hampshire
(1) - Capital One Academic All-America® Division II First
Team selection in 2013
(2) - Capital One Academic All-America® Division II Second Team
selection in 2013
(3) - Capital One Academic All-America® Division II Third Team
selection in 2013
(!) - Capital One Academic All-America® of the Year selection
in 2013
