Siena Heights women's soccer team members Emily Burkman and Alexis Gainer were honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) to the NAIA Women's Scholar All-America Team, as announced recently by the governing body.

Juniors Burkman and Gainer join one other SHU women's soccer player in the history of the Saints' program--Hannah Ulrich was honored by the NSCAA in 2012.

This award combines both athletic and academic abilities. Burkman and Gainer are two of only 13 players honored of all participating schools in the NAIA for the 2016 season.

Burkman majors in nursing and is a core player in the Siena Heights defense. She added four goals and two assists while the Saints allowed only 88 shots on goal and 19 total goals, averaging 0.92 goals against in the 2016 season. Burkman was one of five defenders to be named NSCAA Scholar All-American

The Canton, Mich. native has received numerous accolades for her performance on and off the field this season. She was named the the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference All-Scholar Team, WHAC First Team, NAIA Honorable Mention All-American and NSCAA Second Team All-Mideast Region.

Leading the Saints in the middle, Gainer earned four goals and three assists while making key tackles and distributing the ball for SHU. The biology major was honored on the WHAC All-Scholar Team, WHAC First Team and NSCAA Second Team All-Mideast region. Gainer was one of three midfielders to receive NSCAA Scholar All-American.

Both Burkman and Gainer will attend the NSCAA All-American Luncheon at the 2017 NSCAA Convention in Los Angeles, Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 14 to receive their awards.