The No. 2 ranked Emory University women's soccer team placed five members on the United Soccer Coaches All-Region teams as the regional selections were announced Tuesday morning by the organization.
Three Eagles headlined the selections as seniors Sophia Garcia, Michelle Davidson and junior Kaitlyn Nimmer secured First Team berths. Graduate student Claudia Schmidt earned a spot on the Second Team and sophomore Mikayla Camp landed on the Third Team for Region VI.
The Eagles led the team to arguably the best season in program history with a team record 20 wins and 17 shutouts, posting an overall record of 20-1-1, and advancing to the NCAA Division III Final Four for the second consecutive season. Emory, in its third-ever semifinal appearance, will look to capture its first national championship in school history this week in Salem, Virginia. The Eagles are set to oppose Tufts University in the national semifinals at 6:30 PM on Thursday, December 4th at Kerr Stadium at Roanoke College.
Nimmer highlights the All-Region selections with her third straight honor, having previously made the Third Team as a freshman and was a First Team honoree as a sophomore. In her junior season, Nimmer is putting on another standout campaign with a career-high in goals (13), assists (10) and points (36). She is the first player in team history to record double digit goals and assists in the same season and currently ranks fourth all-time for most single season points with 36. Nimmer was previously recognized this season with her third consecutive appearance on the All-University Athletic Association First Team.
Davidson garners her second All-Region selection and first as a member of the First Team after drawing a Second Team nod as a junior. In her senior season, Davidson was the catalyst of Emory's staunch defensive unit and was recognized as the UAA Defensive Player of the Year and an All-UAA First team honoree for the second straight season. The Eagles' backline has allowed just seven goals through 22 games ahead of the national semifinals, outscoring opponents 66-7, and the team currently ranking seventh in the country with a 0.318 goals-against average – the second-lowest mark in team history. Davidson currently leads all field players in minutes played and has recorded a career best six points on offense with two goals and two assists.
A key reason for the success of the Emory defense this season has been due to the work of Garcia between the posts as she earns her first career All-Region selection. As a senior, Garcia has set program records for wins (20) and shutouts (12) and currently ranks among the nation's leaders in clean sheets (3rd, 12), goals-against average (5th, 0.313) and save percentage (8th, 0.898). She was previously honored this season with All-UAA First Team acclaim.
Schmidt makes her first career appearance on the All-Region list with a Second Team nod after previously landing on the All-UAA Second Team earlier this season. Schmidt has contributed to the Eagles' lockdown defense as she has been one of six players to start each of the team's 22 games so far this season and ranks third on the team in minutes played. Furthermore, she has accounted for three assists on offense coming in non-conference wins over Lynchburg, Oglethorpe and Maryville.
Camp earns her second straight Third Team All-Region honor following a solid sophomore season with the Eagles. The two-time All-UAA Honorable Mention currently ranks second on the team with 11 goals and is second behind Nimmer with 22 points. She has matched Nimmer's output with a UAA-leading five game-winning goals including two that came during the Eagles' sectional round wins over Johns Hopkins and Pomona-Pitzer to advance to Salem.
The United Soccer Coaches Association will announce its 2025 All-America Teams on Thursday, December 4th, ahead of the national semifinals.
