Greenville, S.C. -- Furman defender Walker Zimmerman has been named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-America Third Team, it was announced on Friday afternoon.
The Lawrenceville, Ga., native and 2011 Southern Conference Freshman-of-the-Year was one of just two freshmen to earn all-america honors and the first Furman rookie to be named to an all-america squad in school history. Zimmerman netted five goals, including four on headers off of set pieces, as a rookie while helping to anchor a Paladin defense that surrendered just 20 goals in 22 matches.
"I'm very proud of Walker and all the guys who earned all-region honors as well," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "He worked very hard this season and was a key part of our success on the field and an excellent representative of Furman off the field."
A first team All-SoCon selection and NSCAA All-South Region First Team pick, Zimmerman guided the Paladins to a 14-4-4 overall record and NCAA Tournament berth this season. The 2011 College Soccer News All-Freshman First Team pick captained the United States U-18 National Team at last summer's MILK Cup in Northern Ireland and was recently invited to attend the U.S. U-20 National Team's training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in January.
Zimmerman selection to the NSCAA All-America team is the 15th for a Furman player and first since Jon Leathers (2nd team) and Shea Salinas (3rd team) in 2007. He joins a list of Furman all-americans that include U.S. Soccer Player-of-the-Year Clint Dempsey, U.S. National Team member Ricardo Clark and three-time first team NSCAA All-American John Barry Nusum.
The 35 athletes will be recognized at the annual All-America Luncheon, to be held in the Kansas City Convention Center's Grand Ballroom on Saturday, Jan. 14, in conjunction with the 2012 NSCAA Convention in Kansas City, Mo.