NDSU senior defender Megan Dean was named to the Capital One Academic All-America Division I women's soccer first team on Dec. 1. The team is selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Dean is the first student-athlete in NDSU’s program history to earn first team honors. Seven other Bison have earned second or third team honors, including Becky Iwanicki in 2009 and Quin Ryan in 2010.
The Inver Grove Heights, Minn., native has a 3.95 grade-point average in exercise science and plans to attend physical therapy school after graduation. She earned College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District first team honors as a senior and second team honors as a sophomore and junior.
Dean was a vital part of the Bison defense this fall, starting all 21 games and guiding the team to a school record 11 shutouts and 15 wins.
To be eligible for Capital One Academic All-America awards, student-athletes must have a 3.30 or better cumulative grade-point average on a 4-point scale, have sophomore athletic standing and be a starter or key reserve for their team.