Courtesy of Saginaw Valley State Athletic Media Relations
BAY CITY, Mich. - Saginaw Valley State senior midfielder Craig Neal has been named to the 2014 NSCAA Scholar All-America Second Team announced today (Dec. 17). Neal accumulated a 3.89 grade-point average as a Criminal Justice major.
The recognition comes after Neal already earned a pair of All-Midwest Region honors, Academic All-American plaudits and a spot on the All-GLIAC First Team and most recently a NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Men's Division II All-America Third Teamselection.
Neal had an outstanding season to round-out his career in a Cardinal uniform. He posted a team-high nine goals, adding seven assists for a team-best 25 points. Four of his nine goals were of the game-winning variety for the Cardinals. The nine goals were second-best in the GLIAC and seven assists second only to teammate Alexandar Isaevski's nine. The 25 points were also second-best in the league. He was named to the Daktronics and NSCAA All-Midwest Region First Teams and CapitalOne Academic All-America Third Team as well as being named to the 2014 All-GLIAC First Team.
Neal was a leader for the Cardinals in 2014, as the team posted a 14-5-2 overall record, advancing to the NCAA Division II Round of 16 for the second time in three years. The Cards started the year with the best start in program history, going unbeaten in the first 12 matches with a 10-0-2 record. Neal was part of the winningest senior class in program history as well, accounting for 55 victories.
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America recognized select collegiate student-athletes as 2014 NSCAA Scholar All-Americans for their dual accomplishments on the field and in the classroom.
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.
