Towson, MD -- Piedmont College women's soccer player #JUSTINE CLAY# has been named the first-ever Capital One Division III Academic All-American in Piedmont's storied athletic tradition including a women's soccer program which will celebrate its 20th season of existence during the 2012 campaign.  Only 11 Academic All-Americans were named by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) in Division III as Clay's selection comes after helping her team to the program's first Great South Athletic Conference championship in a decade this past season as well as the first-ever NCAA National Tournament berth in women's soccer.

"We have had many great academic honors bestowed upon many individual student-athletes during my time here at Piedmont and before, but Justine being the first Capital One Academic All-American is what makes this award really special to our department," stated Piedmont Director of Athletics John Dzik. "Justine embodies what we at Piedmont hold high as a NCAA Division III institution which is student-athletes who are extremely good competitors in their respective sports, but also extremely competitive in the classroom as outstanding students as well."

As one of 11 women's soccer players to earn Academic All-American honors from across all of NCAA Division III, Clay posted a 3.89 GPA in one of Piedmont's most rigorous academic programs as a four-year nursing major.  Clay's accomplishments on the field also ranked high amongst her peers as her five assists and ten goals on the season placed her 3rd and 6th amongst the list of the 11 Academic All-Americans selected.

"It's a great honor for Justine and our program, a great way for her to finish out what has been a decorated four-year career here at PC as the program's first Academic All-American," quoted Head Women's Soccer Coach Stephen Andrew. "It's a clear demonstration of the emphasis that we put on academics here at Piedmont College and it exemplifies what we expect of and look for in our student-athletes."

Clay was a senior midfielder on the most successful women's soccer team in the NCAA era helping her squad to a 17-3-1 overall record representing an .850 winning percentage en route to the program's first GSAC championship since the 2001 season and the first ever NCAA appearance in women's soccer.  Her team's 17 wins is second all-time behind only the 1997 team's 18 victories though the 2011 group's .850 winning percentage is the best such mark in any single season since the program's inception in 1993.

"I'm very honored to have received such an award that means so much to both me and the program," said Clay of her recent honor. "I've had a great experience here at Piedmont, my coaches and the entire athletic department have been very good to me during my four years, and I look forward to being an alumni of such a great institution and a successful soccer program. I'm really thankful for all I have had the chance to do here at Piedmont, and I'm just speechless, I feel so honored to receive this award."

Clay experienced her best season yet in this her senior year tallying season highs in games played and goals as well game-winning goals including both a dramatic free kick at Walker Athletic Complex that handed the Lady Lions a comeback victory in double overtime against Columbia College as well another set piece game winner in the GSAC championship game against the Panthers of LaGrange College.  The Buford native finished her career with the green and gold tied for the NCAA era record in total assists with 26 while also scoring 34 goals from her midfield position as a four-year starter.

To be eligible for Capital One Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports.