Week of December 17, 2012
Long Beach State soccer player Nadia Link continued to add to her long list of accolades as she was recently named to the 2012 National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA)/Continental Tire Women’s NCAA Division I All-America Team.
The senior forward, who was one of 17 student-athletes making a repeat appearance as an all-American selection, earned third-team honors for the second year in a row. She is also the 49ers' first two-time All-American in soccer.
Link, who totaled 16 goals and 10 assists as a junior, finished the 2012 campaign tops in the Big West Conference with 80 shot attempts, 25 points and nine assists, and ranked third with eight goals. For her efforts, Link took home her second consecutive Big West Offensive Player of the Year award and received first-team all-conference distinction for the third time in her career.
She wrapped up a stellar four-year career ranked among Long Beach State’s all-time top-five in every offensive category. She is second in game-winning goals (13), tied for second in goals (32), tied for third in points (84), third in shots (210) and fifth in assists (20).
In addition, Link and 49er teammate Alex Balcer were both named to the 2012 NCAA Division I All-West Region team. Link received first-team All-West Region honors for the second year in a row, and Balcer garnered second-team All-West Region recognition for the second consecutive season.
In 2012, Balcer anchored a back line that registered six shutouts and a 1.15 goals against average. The senior defender also totaled a career-best three goals.
During Balcer’s four years as a starting center back, the 49ers compiled 28 shutouts and an impressive 1.09 goals against average.
Both Balcer and Link have been key members in Long Beach State's recent success. They led the 49ers to back-to-back Big West Tournament titles (2010-11) and three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a historic run to the Elite Eight in 2011.
