FULL ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA TEAMS

AUSTIN, Texas – A final (and fitting) award in the decorated career of women's soccer defender Payton Kaufman arrived Wednesday morning, earning third team Academic All-America honors as selected by the College Sports Communicators organization.

Kaufman, graduating this month in under four years, finishes with a 3.89 cumulative GPA as a double major in health communication and public relations. She is one of just 34 standouts to make the national list in NCAA Division III, and just two from the state of Ohio alongside Case Western Reserve's Helena Vanbibber.

"This award is representative of our whole team in many ways," said Kaufman, who made the Dean's List every term. "Our coaches stress the full college experience and players hold themselves to a standard of being leaders on campus. If you look around, there is likely a women's soccer player in most organizations. It's easy to put in the work and stay involved when you have great people supporting and motivating you – whether that be in the classroom, on the soccer field, or in the community."

Kaufman started 64 matches over her memorable run as a Cardinal, becoming a 4x All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection and 2x OAC Defender of the Year (2021, 2023). Three of those honors were on the first team as she annually anchored one of the league's top back lines, with the defense posting 38 shutouts during her career.

"I am so excited for Payton," said head coach Brandon Koons. "Watching her go from U8 soccer through college, I've seen her grow into a confident and capable young woman who is deserving of recognition at all levels. Earning an All-America award like this puts her among our OCWS program greats… where she belongs."

Kaufman's units posted a collective 0.61 goals-against average during her time in a college uniform, while she also came up to register 17 points (six goals, five assists) in taking free kicks. Those efforts translated into three All-Region and All-Ohio awards as well.

Kaufman was a 3x Academic All-OAC and 2x Academic All-District qualifier off the field wihile racking up a wealth of experience. She interned with the Office of Marketing and Communications and Office of the President on campus, while also completing multiple interview projects through her major – including the likes of Sam Mewis (U.S. Women's Soccer Team player) and Amy Trask (former CEO of the Oakland Raiders).

She was also a PR consultant for KW Public Relations, and recently accepted a full-time job as an account associate at Falhren Mortine in Columbus after serving as a client engagement intern for the integrated communications agency this past fall.

"Small schools can get knocked for maybe not having certain networks of resources… but I've found it to be much different," added Kaufman. "I experienced a lot more dedicated group of professors, alums and overall support staff who truly care about the individual. My approach was just to take advantage of any opportunity I could. Otterbein allowed me to meet so many people that helped carve my path."

Otterbein went 12-4-2 this season and a combined 48-11-7 over the past four years with Kaufman on the roster, winning the 2020 OAC Tournament during her freshman year but not experiencing the NCAA Championships due to COVID. The Cards then won the 2021 OAC regular-season crown before narrowly missing out on a few other postseason titles along the way.

"I am so excited to watch the next wave of players do incredible things," added Kaufman, when asked about becoming an alum. "I will be supporting in the stands and hopefully they'll have me back for some open fields. These are not only great athletes in this program, but great people. It's easy to root for girls like that and I want to see them keep building."

Julia Beck from Misericordia was voted the 2023 Academic All-America Player of the Year for Division III with a perfect 4.00 GPA, double majoring in psychology and a physical therapy doctorate. Her team won the MAC Freedom Championship this past fall and made the NCAA second round.

*CSC (formerly known as CoSIDA) began the distinguished Academic All-America® program in 1952 to honor individuals that excel on the playing surface, in the classroom and throughout the community. To be eligible for consideration, a student-athlete must meet requirements of a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic/academic standing at their current institution and be nominated by their athletic communications staff. Nominees first go through a round of district submissions before potentially reaching the national ballot.