NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion women's soccer team had six players named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team announced recently. Rhea Kijowski, Thalia Morisi, Gry Boe Thrysoe, Ece Turkoglu, Anna Torslov and Megan Watts were all named to the team and are up for Academic All-American honors.
The 2023 Academic All-District® 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.
Academic All-District® honorees advance to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced in middle December. To qualify, a student-athlete had to have at least a 3.5 grade point average.
"I am immensely proud of these athletes - considering the incredible season we had on the field, it is a true reflection of their commitment as students that they achieve so much. We are so proud of how they represent themselves and our program," said ODU Head Coach Angie Hind.
Rhea Kijowski
A transfer from West Virginia, Kijowski was the lone Monarch to start every game in 2023. She provided experience at forward for the Monarchs tallying three goals and one assist. Kijowski had a goal at VCU, the game-winner at home over Southern Miss and the first goal in the Sun Belt Tournament semifinal win over Georgia Southern. Her steadiness at the forward spot was a key component in the success of the Monarchs in 2023. She will be one of the team leaders as a senior next season.
Thalia Morisi
An electrifying midfielder who had a breakout season in 2023. Morisi tallied four goals with one assist for nine points. Made her presence known in the Sun Belt Tournament semifinal against Georgia Southern with an assist on the first goal and scoring the game-winner 51 seconds later. A leader and steadying force for the Monarchs, she teamed with Turkoglu for a solid midfield combination. Morisi scored a goal in the season opener at George Mason, tallied a game-winner at VCU and then at home against High Point.
Gry Boe Thrysoe
A veteran on the Monarchs, Thrysoe returned after missing a year due to injury and was a solid component in the championship run this year. Played in all 21 matches and started 20 of those amassing over 1600 minutes played. She had an assist on the game-winning goal at Marshall when the Monarchs took a 2-1 victory in early October. A strong midfielder who always played with a steadying force. Thrysoe was a key contributor to the 2021 Conference USA crown as a freshman and matches that with a Sun Belt title in 2023.
Ece Turkoglu
Ece had a fantastic season leading the Monarchs as Captain from a defensive midfield position. In her senior and last season, she has been instrumental in the success of the team and incredibly scored five goals from a defensive role. A true leader and exceptional athlete with great technical ability she has helped marshal her team to one of the best defensive records in the nation whilst simultaneously impacting the attack with five goals and one assist. She had two goals against Southern Miss, one each against Campbell, Marshall and one goal along with one assist against George Mason. She earned Academic All-District honors in 2022 as well.
Anna Torslov
In her senior year, Torslov had a massive impact for ODU playing as an attacking outside back. She showed great versatility to help the Monarchs with their defensive record of 11 shutouts but also stepped up at the attacking end of the field contributing with three goals and one assists. A player with a talented left foot she has been key for the Monarchs this season despite playing through injury. Scored against George Mason, William & Mary and a game-winner against Marshall, while having an assist against Campbell.
Megan Watts
A fifth-year Captain and leader for ODU, Megan has scored some important goals for the Monarchs this season. Her work-rate and athleticism have led the line for the Monarch attack and this was undoubtably her best season as a Monarch. She shared the team lead in goals with five, with a team best three game-winners. Watts' game-winners have been against High Point, Georgia Southern and App State, while also scoring a goal against Southern Miss and the equalizer at ULM to close the regular season. She earned Academic All-District honors in 2022 as well.
Women's Soccer Has Six Players Named Academic All-District
