Northwestern University Athletics
Clem, Viggiano, Sharples Earn Scholar All-America Recognition
12/14/2017 2:46:00 PM | Women's Soccer
EVANSTON, Ill. – A program-record three Wildcats were named 2017 Scholar All-Americans, the United Soccer Coaches announced Thursday. Marisa Viggiano, Lauren Clem, and Kayla Sharples all earned the national recognition after a strong season on the field and in the classroom.
Viggiano was named Second Team Scholar All-America, while Clem and Sharples earned spots on the Third Team. The Wildcats had only had two Scholar All-Americans prior to 2017 with first team selections for Clem in 2016 and Wendy Scholz in 1997.
Northwestern received the second-most selections behind only national semifinalist Duke, who had four student-athletes named to the three All-America teams.
To be eligible for selection to the Scholar All-America team, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher, have started more than 50 percent of all games and been a significant contributor to the team, and be a junior or above in academic standing.
Viggiano, Clem, and Sharples helped lead Northwestern to a third straight NCAA tournament appearance. The team finished second in the Big Ten regular season, runner-up in the Big Ten Tournament and advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA tournament.
Viggiano earned First Team All-Big Ten honors in the midfield this season after registering eight assists and 12 points in leading Northwestern to a 12-win season, it's third straight double-digit win year. With another year still to go at NU, Viggiano ranks fifth in program history with 15 assists.
Clem wrapped up her career as the program's all-time leader in shutouts, goals against average, minutes played and consecutive games started. She is also the Big Ten's career leader in shutouts and finished third in NCAA history with 48.
Sharples was also a First-Team All-Big Ten selection after playing every single minute of the season on a defense that pitched 11 shutouts. She scored three goals and had three assists on her way to the Second Team Starting XI from Top Drawer Soccer.
Junior defender Hannah Davison was a Scholar All-Region selection.
Student-athletes on this year's Scholar All-America Team will be formally acknowledged for their accomplishments on the field and in the classroom at the All-America luncheon on January 20, 2018, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in conjunction with the 2018 United Soccer Coaches Convention.
Viggiano was named Second Team Scholar All-America, while Clem and Sharples earned spots on the Third Team. The Wildcats had only had two Scholar All-Americans prior to 2017 with first team selections for Clem in 2016 and Wendy Scholz in 1997.
Northwestern received the second-most selections behind only national semifinalist Duke, who had four student-athletes named to the three All-America teams.
To be eligible for selection to the Scholar All-America team, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher, have started more than 50 percent of all games and been a significant contributor to the team, and be a junior or above in academic standing.
Viggiano, Clem, and Sharples helped lead Northwestern to a third straight NCAA tournament appearance. The team finished second in the Big Ten regular season, runner-up in the Big Ten Tournament and advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA tournament.
Viggiano earned First Team All-Big Ten honors in the midfield this season after registering eight assists and 12 points in leading Northwestern to a 12-win season, it's third straight double-digit win year. With another year still to go at NU, Viggiano ranks fifth in program history with 15 assists.
Clem wrapped up her career as the program's all-time leader in shutouts, goals against average, minutes played and consecutive games started. She is also the Big Ten's career leader in shutouts and finished third in NCAA history with 48.
Sharples was also a First-Team All-Big Ten selection after playing every single minute of the season on a defense that pitched 11 shutouts. She scored three goals and had three assists on her way to the Second Team Starting XI from Top Drawer Soccer.
Junior defender Hannah Davison was a Scholar All-Region selection.
Student-athletes on this year's Scholar All-America Team will be formally acknowledged for their accomplishments on the field and in the classroom at the All-America luncheon on January 20, 2018, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in conjunction with the 2018 United Soccer Coaches Convention.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's SoccerWomen's Soccer - Northwestern Upends No. 4 TCU behind Roesch's Goal (9/4/25)
Friday, September 05
Women's Soccer - 'Cats Blank Butler behind Hennen's Goal (8/31/25)
Sunday, August 31
Women's Soccer - Wildcats Blank Loyola 2-0 in Season Opener (8/14/25)
Friday, August 15
BEST OF: Kennedy Roesch Rookie Reel
Thursday, August 14
