Six Valkyries Named CSC Academic All-District Selections

In a season that saw the team reach the Conference Carolinas Championship match, six members of the Converse University men’s soccer team were named to the College Sports Communicators All-District team as announced by the organization on Tuesday afternoon. Those student-athletes are: goalkeeper Tim Baerwalde ’26, forward Johannes Haden ’25, midfielder Nathan Hoover ’25, forward Jaxon Keene ’25, forward Kyle Lewis ’26, and junior defender Gabriel Verona ’25.
The 2023 Academic All-District® Men’s and Women’s Soccer Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Baerwalde, a Business Administration major from Frankfurt, Germany, appeared and started in 18 games for the Valkyries this season. He posted 1570 minutes in the box and allowed just 17 goals, an average of 0.97. He was named the Conference Carolinas defensive player of the week on Sept. 26.
Haden, a Mathematics major from Stockholm, Sweden, appeared in 19 games for the Valkyries and made 14 starts. He netted six goals this season, his second consecutive year with that many goals. He was a second team all-conference selection.
Hoover, an Economics major from Clover, South Carolina, appeared in all 20 games for the Valkyries this season. He assisted on three goals and recorded 750 minutes on the pitch.
Keene, an Economics major from Lexington, South Carolina, appeared in 19 games for the Valkyries and made nine starts. He netted six goals and an assist this season. It is the second time he has been named to the CSC Academic All-District team (2022).
Lewis, an Economics major from St. James, Barbados, appeared in all 20 games for the Valkyries and made 12 starts. He netted two goals in the Valkyries’ 4-1 semifinal victory over top-seeded Francis Marion in the 2023 Conference Carolinas tournament.
Verona, a Business Administration major from São Lourenço do Oeste, Santa Catarina, Brazil, appeared and started in 20 games for the Valkyries. He netted a team-leading eight goals this season, seven off of penalty kicks. He was named a first team all-conference selection.
The Valkyries’ six All-District selections now move on to the All-America voting process, which will be voted on from the complete list of All-District honorees. The All-America selections will be released on Dec. 19 by the College Sports Communicators.