Women's Soccer | 10/30/2014 11:18:00 AM

Austin, Texas----Wingate University sophomore defender Macy Franklin (Conover, N.C.) and sophomore midfielder Kaitlyn Brunworth (Littleton, Colo.) have been named to the 2014 Capital One Academic All-District III women's soccer first team (NCAA Division II), selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Both Franklin and Brunworth are first-time Academic All-District honorees (district-by-district list).
 
Franklin and Brunworth have played a huge role in another successful Wingate women's soccer season. Both were starters and all-conference selections as freshman in 2013 to help lead the Bulldogs to their first-ever NCAA Regional title and first-ever NCAA Elite Eight appearance. Wingate is 9-2-3 overall this year with an 8-1-1 SAC record. The Bulldogs won their second SAC Tournament title in three years during 2013 to earn a third consecutive NCAA Tournament bid. Wingate hosted the opening two rounds of the 2013 NCAA Tournament, while also hosting the NCAA Sweet 16 and Elite Eight.
 
"Macy and Kaitlyn are both tremendous players for our women's soccer program," Wingate head coach Chip Wiggins says. "More importantly, they are also phenomenal students. Their dedication to both academic and athletic success mirrors each other - hence the reason they are so successful on the pitch and in the classroom. Macy and Kaitlyn are prime examples of the type of student-athlete we want to bring into our University each year."?

Franklin is the defensive captain as a sophomore. She has led the way for the Wingate defense in her second season, starting every game for the Bulldogs. After earning second team All-SAC honors as a freshman, Franklin earned preseason first team all-conference accolades. She anchors a Wingate defense that has allowed only 10 goals this year. In the classroom, Franklin possesses a 3.93 GPA with her Athletic Training major.
 
Wingate has allowed a league-low three goals in conference play. The Bulldogs are holding opponents to only 0.71 goals per game and 7.9 shots per contest. During the current nine-match unbeaten streak, the Bulldogs have eight consecutive shutouts. They have not allowed a goal in over 790 minutes of action. Wingate has not allowed double-digit shots in any of the previous nine matches.
 
Brunworth earned honorable mention All-SAC honors during her freshman season at Wingate, while earning preseason second team All-SAC honors this year. She has played in every game during her two-year career with the Bulldogs, starting each of the last 34 contests for Wingate.
 
Brunworth has two goals and three assists this season, while also playing a key role in Wingate's dominant defense. She scored the match-winning goal in Wingate's 4-1 victory at then-number-10 Catawba. Brunworth had the assist during the Bulldogs' 1-0 win over Tusculum. She had a goal and an assist in Wingate's win over Mount Olive. Academically, Brunworth has a perfect 4.00 GPA with a Biology major.
 
Franklin, Brunworth and the other 13 team members will advance to the Capital One Academic All-America® national ballot. District III (college division) includes NCAA Division II schools from the Conference Carolinas, the Peach Belt Conference and the South Atlantic Conference. The members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (by districts) select the Capital One Academic All-District women's soccer teams.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, ranked as the 8th "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,000 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration, and doctorates in pharmacy, physical therapy and education.
 
With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past eight years. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing colleges in the 2000's with 67 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate's 67 Academic All-America® honorees are number one during this millennium. Wingate's 76 lifetime Academic All-America® picks are tops among all SAC schools. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.
 
2014 CAPITAL ONE ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT III WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM
(NCAA DIVISION II, AS SELECTED BY CoSIDA)

GK-Maylyn Parsons, Columbus State
D-Brianna Belsky, Lenoir-Rhyne
D-Kasey Byzewski, Barton
D-Macy Franklin, Wingate
D-Shelby Rolling, Columbus State
D-Megan Morrow, North Georgia
M-Nikki Arthur, Tusculum
M-Kaitlyn Brunworth, Wingate
M-Casey Marlin, Lenoir-Rhyne
M-Nicole McKinney, Lincoln Memorial
F-Nicole Corcione, Columbus State
F-Michelle Hunter, Lincoln Memorial
F-Kelsey Pelletier, Columbus State
F-Chelsea Person, Columbus State
F-Rachel Thorpe, King (Tenn.)