Sixteen student-athletes have earned a spot on the 2012 Missouri Valley Conference men's soccer scholar-athlete and honorable mention teams, announced by the league office today. The 11-member first team is highlighted by three unanimous choices, including Missouri State's Cole Alexander, SIUE's Ryan Bauer, and Drake's Nick Marshall. First team selection Nick Marshall, and honorable mention selection Hayden Sander boast perfect 4.00 GPAs.

Creighton has three members on the first team, while Missouri State, SIUE, and Drake each have two selections. Drake's Nick Marshall is a repeat selection from the 2011 first team.

Of the 16 players named to this year's team, five recently earned CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-District honors. The Valley's scholar-athlete team is voted on by the league's soccer sports information directors.

The criteria for the all-MVC honor parallels the CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) standards for Academic All-America voting.  Nominees must be starters or important reserves with at least a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.00 scale).  Also, students must have participated in at least 75 percent of the regular-season matches or played in the league tournament.  Student-athletes must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at their institution (true freshmen and redshirt freshmen are not eligible) and must have completed at least one full academic year at their institution.