Monmouth College’s Horneck, Mertel named Academic All-District

Release Date: November 3, 2005

Amy Horneck

Kristin Mertel

MONMOUTH, Ill. – Two members of the Monmouth College women’s soccer team have been honored for their athletic and academic excellence. Amy Horneck (Hermiston, Ore./Hermiston) and Kristin Mertel (Palatine, Ill./Hoffman Estates) have been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V College Division first team and second team, respectively.

Horneck, a senior forward, and Mertel, a junior defender, helped lead the Fighting Scots to a record-setting season, qualifying for the Midwest Conference season-ending tournament for the first time in school history and finishing with a school-best 11-6-0 record.

A chemistry major, Horneck holds 10 individual records at Monmouth including career marks for goals (66), points (163) and assists (31). She also led the team this season in goals (20), assists (9) and points (49).

A three-time Dean’s List honoree, two-time academic all-conference team member, three-time all-conference selection and the 2004 conference co-offensive player of the year, Horneck will be placed on the national ballot for academic All-American status. She is the sixth Fighting Scot athlete since 2001 to be named First Team All-District.

Mertel, a biology major, was part of a stingy Monmouth defense that yielded less than one-and-a-half goals per game. The Scots allowed just over 11 shots per game and recorded a school-record seven shutouts this season, including a record four straight. Monmouth also limited opponents to a record-low 25 goals. Mertel is a three-time Dean’s List recipient and recently earned her second Midwest Conference Performer of the Week honor.

The ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V team is voted on by sports information directors from District V, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and two Canadian provinces. Athletes must earn a minimum 3.20 cumulative GPA, have achieved at least sophomore status at their respective school and be a starter or key reserve in order to be nominated for the post-season honor. Only first team all-district athletes are eligible to be placed on the national ballot.

Horneck is the daughter of Don and Vicki Horneck of Hermiston, Ore.

Mertel is the daughter of Duane and Kim Mertel of Palatine.