Dec. 17, 1999

Columbia, Mo. - A week after becoming MU's first soccer All-American, junior Nikki Thole received two national honors Friday. Thole was among those chosen for the College Soccer Online All-America Third-Team and was also tabbed for the Soccer Buzz All-America Second-Team, the Internet publications announced today. The St. Louis, Mo. native scored a school-record 23 goals and added nine assists during the 1999 season.

The All-America honors are the second and third of the post-season for Thole, who one week ago was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America Second-Team. This past Wednesday, Thole, senior Erin Grimsley and sophomore Dyana Russell were each named to the SoccerBuzz All-Central Region teams. Thole was named the Central Region Offensive Player of the Year by SoccerBuzz as well.

Missouri's squad accomplished its best seson in the program's brief history in 1999, recording a 14-8-1 mark while advancing to the school's first NCAA Soccer Tournament. By making the national tournament, Missouri completed a tremendous growth plan that took it from program birth in 1996 to the NCAA Tournament in 1999. MU also advanced to the Big 12 Conference Tournament final match for the second consecutive year.

A full list of the All-America teams can be found on the World Wide Web at www.soccerbuzz.com and www.collegesoccer.com.