Nov. 26, 2003

Columbia, Mo. -Mizzou Tiger soccer's record breaking season continues to make new strides as defender Karen Bauer became the program's first student-athlete to earn CoSIDA Academic All-America honors.

Bauer's recognition as one of 33 Division I soccer players succeeding on both the field and in the classroom, was voted upon by members of College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Nomination criteria includes maintaining a 3.2 or higher grade point average while participating in at least 60 percent of a team's competition. Culminating a college career topping Mizzou soccer academically, the biological science major has accumulated a 3.93 GPA during her four seasons at Missouri after taking a redshirt freshman season.

Earning accolades on the conference level, Bauer is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 first team member. She has also been honored as Missouri soccer's three-time Total Person Program Academic Excellence winner recording the Tiger's highest team GPA each of the last three years.

Just as impressive on the playing field as she is in the scholastic arena, Bauer anchors the Mizzou backfield, building a reputation as an unyielding defender.

Making her move from the midfield this season, she reestablished herself in her new defensive role in 2003. Playing extraordinary games against #17 California and #24 Oklahoma, Bauer led the defensive squad against 17 shots and allowed just two goals in 186 minutes of play In addition, Bauer continues to aid the Tigers offensively contributing four assists on the year, including the game-winning assists against Northwestern, Eastern Illinois and Iowa State.

Sparking the Tigers during the Big 12 Tournament, Bauer scored two goals on penalty kicks against Colorado and Oklahoma State. She was honored as a Big 12 All-Tournament team selection.