Senior Ali Smith (Lenexa, Kan.) of the Drake University women's soccer team was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District VI First Team, the organization announced Thursday, Nov. 9 morning.
 
Smith, who owns a perfect 4.00 cumulative grade point average in finance and international business, started 19 matches at the defender position. She was named the 2017 MVC Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-MVC First Team. Smith scored two goals, handed out a team-high four assists and helped the defense record seven shutouts. She netted a golden goal to beat Illinois State, which clinched the MVC regular season title. This is her first career academic all-district award.
 
To qualify for the Capital One Academic All-District team, a nominee must hold a cumulative 3.30 grade point average, must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing and must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games. First-team Academic All-District® honorees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® Team ballot, where first-, second- and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month.