GREENWOOD, Ind. – Texas Tech graduate‑student defender Macy Blackburn earned a repeat College Sports Communicators (CSC) First‑Team Academic All‑American honor, while goalkeeper Faith Nguyen and midfielder Sam Courtwright were named to the CSC Second Team. The awards, announced on Wednesday, recognize the nation’s top student‑athletes in NCAA women’s soccer.
Stat‑Heavy Season for Blackburn
Blackburn, a Keller, Texas native, posted a flawless 4.0 GPA while completing a graduate certificate in Media and Communications. On the pitch she set a new program benchmark with 13 assists – the most ever recorded in a single season for Texas Tech – and added five goals from the outside‑back position. Those numbers lifted her career assist total to 46, establishing her as the all‑time leader in Red Raider history. In total, Blackburn finished sixth on the school’s all‑time points list with 63 points, the highest total ever posted by a defensive player at Texas Tech.
Her defensive excellence was reflected in her being named a two‑time CSC Academic All‑American and, for the second straight year, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year – a feat achieved by only four players in conference history.
Nguyen’s Goalkeeping Prowess
Graduate‑student goalkeeper Faith Nguyen, originally from Costa Mesa, California, recorded a 3.50 GPA in the same communications graduate program. Over her two‑year Red Raider tenure she logged a 14‑2‑5 win‑loss‑tie record, conceding just 16 goals in 21 matches. Nguyen posted nine clean sheets in the 2025 campaign, the sixth‑most in a single season for Texas Tech, and amassed a career total of 19 shutouts, ranking fifth in program history.
Her career goals‑against average (GAA) of 0.83 ranks fourth best among Red Raider keepers, while she finished tenth all‑time with 127 saves. The Red Raiders limited opponents to one goal or fewer in 33 of Nguyen’s 41 career appearances, underscoring her consistency between the posts.
Courtwright’s Return from Injury
Midfielder Sam Courtwright rebounded from a season‑ending knee injury that sidelined her throughout 2024. The 2025 season saw her record four goals and seven assists, bringing her career assist total to 15 and moving her into the program’s top‑10 all‑time list. Courtwright also earned a perfect 4.0 GPA, matching Blackburn’s academic credentials.
Her on‑field impact helped the Red Raiders compile a 27‑7‑7 overall record, the best regular‑season performance in the program’s history. Texas Tech finished second in the Big 12 standings and qualified for the conference tournament, where they were seeded among eight teams for the first time under the new three‑round format announced in April 2025.
Context Within the Big 12 and National Landscape
The Red Raiders’ 2025 campaign featured victories over several NCAA tournament regulars, including a 1‑0 win at home against SMU and a 2‑1 road triumph at Baylor. Their non‑conference schedule also included a win over Utah State, marking the third consecutive season the two schools have met. With seven opponents from the 2024 NCAA tournament on their schedule, Texas Tech’s strong defensive numbers were pivotal in maintaining competitive parity within the Big 12.
According to Reuters Sports, the Big 12’s defensive emphasis this season has produced an average of 0.95 GAA across the conference, placing Texas Tech among the top three in that metric. Nguyen’s 0.83 GAA therefore stands out as a benchmark for aspiring goalkeepers in the league.
What’s Next for Texas Tech Women’s Soccer?
Following the regular season, Texas Tech will compete in the Big 12 Tournament beginning November 3 at Baylor’s campus, with quarterfinal and semifinal rounds slated for November 3 and 5. A victory would advance the Red Raiders to the championship match on November 8 at TCU, offering a potential automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Beyond the conference tournament, the three CSC Academic All‑Americans are poised to graduate in the spring, leaving a void in both leadership and on‑field production. Head coach Jeffrey Kiss indicated that recruiting will focus on securing a versatile defender to replace Blackburn and a high‑caliber goalkeeper to fill Nguyen’s shoes. The coaching staff also emphasized continued emphasis on academic excellence, aiming to keep Texas Tech among the nation’s top programs for student‑athlete performance.
Broader Implications for Student‑Athlete Success
Texas Tech’s three CSC selections rank second among all schools for the 2025 academic honors, trailing only Stanford’s five honorees. The Red Raiders’ ability to combine elite on‑field results with perfect academic records illustrates a growing trend among Power Five programs to prioritize holistic development. As the NCAA continues to tighten eligibility rules and expand name‑image‑likeness (NIL) opportunities, the model showcased by Blackburn, Nguyen, and Courtwright—balancing graduate studies, graduate‑level certificates, and top‑tier athletic performance—offers a blueprint for future student‑athletes.
For a deeper look at the impact of academic awards on collegiate soccer performance, read more on Globally Pulse Sports.
