Keupper and Sebbouh named First Team Academic All-District®

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (November 11, 2021) – Milligan University men's soccer grad students Jan Kuepper and Elies Sebbouh were named to the 2021-22 Academic All-District® Men's Soccer First Team, as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on Thursday afternoon.

Kuepper snagged the lone goalkeeper spot while Sebbouh was one of five defenders selected from District 2, which is made up of NAIA institutions in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Academically, both players graduated are enrolled in Milligan's MBA program. Last spring, Kuepper graduated with a 3.98 GPA and Sebbouh collected his undergrad diploma with a 3.83 GPA. Both players collected NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athlete and AAC All-Academic honors over the summer.

No. 16 Milligan owns a 15-2-1 record through the AAC Tournament. Defensively, the Buffs boast one of the stingiest units as Milligan ranks seventh nationally with a 0.54 goals against average and is tied for the most shutouts in the NAIA (11).

Kuepper ranks among the top goalkeepers in the nation as he is tied for first in the NAIA with a school-record 11 shutouts and ranks eighth overall with a 0.52 goals against average. Kuepper's posted a 14-2-1 record and allowed just nine goals in 17 games this season. He made a pair of saves in the final 10 minutes to preserve Milligan's 1-0 win at Reinhardt and earned AAC Defensive Player of the Week following that effort.

As a starting outside back, Sebbouh helped the Buffs post nine shutouts in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). An active offensive threat, Sebbouh tallied five goals for the year and scored early goals in wins over (RV) WVU Tech and No. 11 Dalton State. He also provided the game-winner in 84th minute in Milligan's 3-2 victory over Bryan.

First-team Academic All-District® honorees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® ballot. Academic All-America® honorees will be announced in December. To be eligible for the award, voted on by Sports Information Directors, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative 3.30 GPA or higher and must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at their institution. Nominees must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games and be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic and academic credentials.

Milligan men's soccer hopes to earn an at-large bid to the 2021 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Opening Round. The NAIA will reveal its postseason field Monday at 1:00 p.m.