OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - The list of 30 candidates for the 2019 Senior CLASS Award for women's soccer was released late on Monday and Navy goalkeeper Sydney Fortson (Claremont, Calif.) was amongst this select group of student-athletes. Fortson, one of the most decorated goalkeepers and student-athletes in the history of the Navy women's soccer program, was selected to this elite group for her well-rounded efforts both on and off the field.

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in the areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

A two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, Fortson thrives in the classroom as an aerospace engineering major. Through six semesters at the U.S. Naval Academy, Fortson has posted a 3.91 cumulative GPA and been named to the Supt's List six times. That list recognizes the top USNA students in the areas of academics, military and physical readiness. She currently ranks top-20 in both the Naval Academy's Military Order of Merit and Overall Order of Merit for the Class of 2020. Fortson was selected as a Second Team Academic All-American in 2017 before reaching First Team Academic All-American status as a junior in 2018. Additionally, she was named the 2018 Patriot League Women's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
Described by her coaches and fellow teammates as a loyal, driven and selfless teammate, Fortson was elected and is currently serving as the captain for the Navy women's soccer team. Fortson cares deeply about her teammates, the program and the team's success and does an excellent job of balancing her academics, athletics and military commitments as illustrated by her respected status within Bancroft Hall. In her position as a senior captain, Fortson leads the team through a compassionate, trustworthy and loyal style, while displaying a top-notch work ethic and discipline.
 
Another responsibility as team captain for the Mids sees Fortson playing a vital role in the program's community service efforts. Fortson and her teammates are ardent supporters of GiGi's Playhouse, a Down Syndrome Achievement Center in Annapolis. Additionally, Navy has had the privilege of volunteering with the Honor Flight program twice so far during the 2019 calendar year. As part of the Honor Flight program, the Midshipmen traveled to Reagan National Airport to welcome military veterans as they arrived into Washington, D.C. The Mids are also regular participants in Special Olympic events that are hosted annually at the Naval Academy.
 
2019 marks the third straight season that Fortson has been the Mids' starting goalkeeper. After seeing five games of action as a freshman in 2016, Fortson took over the starting role in 2017 and made an immediate impact. Playing and starting all 21 games in 2017, Fortson posted a 0.90 goals against average (GAA) and .804 save percentage, with a 16-4-1 record. She was recognized as the Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year, in addition to a spot on the All-East Regional Second Team. As a junior in 2018, she dropped her GAA to 0.85 and went 11-6-3 on her way to an All-Patriot League Third Team nod. One month into the 2019 season, Fortson is continuing to shut down opposing offenses with a 0.62 GAA through eight games. Included in this hot 7-1-0 start are a pair of shutouts. Over 54 career games, Fortson is 35-12-4 with an 0.87 GAA, .785 save percentage and 21 solo shutouts. Her shutout mark ranks third all-time in program history, while her GAA stands in fourth place. Fortson is just one shutout away from moving into a tie for second place with Kim Bonafede.

In 2013, Elizabeth Hoerner earned a spot on the Senior CLASS Award First Team All-American team. She is the last Navy women's soccer player to earn recognition as part of the Senior CLASS program.

The 30 candidates announced yesterday will be narrowed to 10 finalists later on in the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four C's of community, classroom, character and competition. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2019 Women's College Cup in December.

On the 2019 list, Fortson is one of four goalkeepers and the only candidate from the Patriot League.

The Senior CLASS Award 2019 Women's Soccer Candidates
Kristen Amarikwa, D, San Jose State
Abby Carchio, M, Brown
Katie Cousins, M, Tennessee
Kaylee Dao, F, Oklahoma
Kaylee Davis, F, Texas State
Kate Del Fava, M, Illinois State
Samantha Dewey, M, Xavier
Serena Dolan, M, Memphis
Taylor Dorado, GK, Siena
Jessie Fleming, M, UCLA
Sydney Fortson, GK, Navy
Paula Germino-Watnick, F, Georgetown
Andrea Hauksdottir, M, South Florida
Kelcie Hedge, M, Santa Clara
Noelle Higginson, M, Yale
Cyera Hintzen, F, Texas
Grace Jackson, M, Vanderbilt
Taryn Jakubowski, M, Creighton
Jess Johnson, D, Monmouth
Aleah Kelley, D, UC Irvine
Maureen Kennedy, D, Bowling Green
Alli Klug, D, Saint Louis
Heather Martin, GK, Texas State
Mandy McGlynn, GK, Virginia Tech
Sinclaire Miramontez, D, Nebraska
Meaghan Nally, D, Georgetown
Sarah Segan, F, William & Mary
Abby Small, D, Kansas City
Evelyne Viens, F, South Florida
Ally Watt, F, Texas A&M