Conference Carolinas Trio Named D2 CCA Soccer All-Americans
POMONA, Calif. - Toby Sims and Harri Lovett of Chowan have both been named to the 2021 Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA) Men’s Soccer All-America Team while Anna Grossheim of UNC Pembroke was named to the 2021 D2 CCA Women’s Soccer All-America Team.
Sims was a first-team choice, while Lovett was tabbed to the third team. Chowan now has four All-America honors in its men’s soccer NCAA Division II era with the duo joining Terell Williamson (2014). Grossheim was a second-team selection and the third player in program history to be named to the distinguished list, but the first since 2008. She joins Whitney Beverly (2008) and Lefke Boysen (2007).
A graduate student defender from Tuxford, England, Sims closes his illustrious career as a two-time All-America selection. He was also named to the third team by the D2 CCA in 2019.
The three-time Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year (2018, 2019 and fall 2021) led an incredibly stingy Chowan defense this past season that helped the Hawks secure the Conference Carolinas Tournament title and its first-ever advancement in the NCAA Tournament with a penalty kick victory over West Florida. In leading Chowan to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division II Tournament, Sims, despite being a defender, finished second in Conference Carolinas in total goals with 11 and fourth overall in points with 25 as he also had three assists.
A junior midfielder/defender from Wrexham, Wales, Lovett led all of Conference Carolinas and was second in the country in assists with 14. The first-team all-league choice scored his lone goal of the season in Chowan’s NCAA advancement over West Florida. His goal tied things up at 1-1 and eventually led to Chowan earning a thrilling 13-12 penalty kick shootout advancement over West Florida. The 2021 Fall Conference Carolinas Elite 23 award winner was also chosen as a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District choice. Lovett owns a 4.0 grade-point average as a Business Administration major.
A native of Garner, North Carolina, Grossheim started in 19 contests this season for the Black & Gold and logged a total of 1,494 minutes of action. The first team all-conference recipient and Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year netted 11 goals and tallied eight assists. The league's freshman of the month selection for the month of October, Grossheim led the league in assists, ranked second in shots (72) and shots on goal (37), and also finished third in the league in total points (30).
Learn more about the D2 CCA All-Americans here.