Braga and Rowe Earn CSC Academic All-American Honors

MEQUON, Wis. – The College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced its 2024 Academic All-America® Women's Soccer Teams on Wednesday, with two members of the Concordia University Wisconsin women's soccer team earning honors. 

For the second time in program history, CUW had two student-athletes selected to the prestigious list, as Brooke Braga and Carmen Rowe were both named to the CSC Academic All-America® Second Team.

The 2024 Academic All-America® Women's Soccer Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes soccer honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.

Brooke Braga, a senior goalkeeper from Belgium, Wis., claims this recognition for the first time in her career, after earning CSC Academic All-District honors in 2022. Braga, a nursing major with a 3.98 GPA, had an outstanding season on the field, earning Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Goaltender of the Year honors. She started all 19 matches, recording an 11-5-3 record, and posted seven shutouts while making 131 saves. Her strong performances included five games with double-digit saves, showcasing her resilience and skill in goal.

Brooke Braga shared her thoughts on the recognition, "Winning this award means so much to me, and I am truly grateful for this honor. It reflects the countless hours I've dedicated to both my studies as a nursing major and my desire to improve my skills on the soccer field," said Braga. "Being a student-athlete throughout college came with its challenges, but those experiences have shaped me into the person and player I am today. I couldn't have achieved this without the support of my amazing professors, teammates, and family who have been with me every step of the way."

Carmen Rowe, a senior defender from Copley, Ohio, also earns her first Academic All-America distinction. Rowe, who boasts a perfect 4.00 GPA while majoring in sports medicine, was a cornerstone of the Falcons' defense. She earned First Team All-NACC honors for the third time in her career. Rowe helped the Falcons register seven shutouts during the season, including key victories over Lawrence, Lake Forest, and St. Norbert. Throughout 19 matches, she played 1,611 minutes, contributing to a defense that held opponents to one goal or fewer in 13 contests.

Carmen Rowe expressed her gratitude and pride in receiving the honor, stating, "It means a lot to even be considered for an award like this, especially with so many other incredible student-athletes across the country," said Rowe. "This recognition is a testament to the hard work I've put in, both on and off the field, over the past four years. However, I couldn't have achieved this without the unwavering support of my teammates and coaching staff." Rowe added, "Coach Ryan has played a significant role in shaping me into the student-athlete I am today, and for that, I am incredibly thankful. I am so proud to have been part of such an outstanding program, and I'm excited to see what the team will accomplish next."

"This recognition truly shares Carmen and Brooke's commitment to both their studies and their team. Obviously, both are gifted academically and athletically, but achieving this recognition demonstrates their hard work and determination," said CUW head women's soccer coach Ryan Middendorf. "They have been model student-athletes throughout their career and I could not be more proud of all their accomplishments and what they have given to our program and university."

Braga and Rowe join a select group of CUW women's soccer players to be named to the CSC Academic All-America team. They follow Jordan Lafferty and Isabel Downs, who earned Second Team honors in 2022.

The duo also joins a distinguished list of CUW athletes who have earned CSC Academic All-America recognition, including Jordan Johnson (men's basketball, 2021 & 2022), Justin Totsky (men's soccer, 2018), Kelsey Bollon (softball, 2021 & 2022), and Emily Hafemann (women's basketball, 2021).

For a complete list of selections, click here.