AUSTIN, Texas – In the midst of leading the Nova Southeastern women's soccer team on a deep NCAA Tournament run, midfielder Emma Heikkila has been lauded for her efforts off the field as well after securing a spot on the 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team on Wednesday. The honor marks the first of Heikkila's notable career.

"Emma is the model student-athlete," said head coach John Constable. "She gets the job done in the classroom, and is someone whose grades I never need to worry about, while on the field, she steps up time after time in the biggest of games."

Speaking of big games, Heikkila scored twice in the Round of 32 to spring the Sharks' eventual 5-1 upset of top-seeded Mississippi College to advance to the Sweet 16. The multi-goal effort has now given her three in the first two games of the NCAA Tournament, and runs her season total to 13 to go along with a team-high seven assists. Heikkila was previously named First Team All-South Region by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA), while also becoming the first NSU player to be selected First Team All-Sunshine State Conference three years in a row. For her career, the native of Tornio, Finland now ranks third all-time in program history in goals scored (33) and second all-time in assists (17). Equally as impressive, she has maintained a 3.85 cumulative GPA in Finance.

Heikkila is one of just two players from the SSC to be recognized as an Academic All-American.

Heikkila and the Sharks will look to hoist the South Region trophy when they take on Embry-Riddle this Friday at 3 p.m. in St. Augustine, Fla. For coverage of the action, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter at @NSU_WSoccer.

For a complete list of the Division II Men's and Women's Academic All-America Teams, click here.