Nikola Deiter

Classroom

Nikola Deiter enters her senior year as a standout member of the Blue Devil squad. A two-time captain, Deiter has managed to perform exceptionally well on the field, as well as in the classroom. The exercise science major has maintained an impressive 3.41 cumulative grade point average and is scheduled to graduate this May, 2014. Following the conclusion of her collegiate career, Deiter plans to pursue professional soccer and/or attend graduate school for physical therapy.

Character

Deiter enters her second season as a Blue Devil captain in 2013. As a captain, Deiter makes it a point to lead by example and motivate her teammates toward both unity and victory. In 2012, the Blue Devils were awarded the Northeast Conference Team Sportsmanship Award as well as the NSCAA Team Ethics Award.
In 2011, Deiter sustained a knee injury requiring surgery mid-season, but her perseverance and determination pushed her through the remainder of the 2011 season in which she posted 99 saves, a .798 save percentage and two shutouts, without missing a game, postponing surgery until the off-season. Deiter has started in each of her 53 collegiate matches in three years and is described by Head Coach Mick D’Arcy as a “terrific leader for our team and a great role model for our younger players” who has “worked extremely hard, overcome numerous injuries and made countless sacrifices to achieve her goals in the classroom and on the field.”
In addition to overcoming her injuries, the Australia native has also overcome the major obstacle of leaving her family and friends behind to achieve success athletically and academically in America. In order to succeed in her new environment, Deiter has effectively adapted to the cultural differences both on the field and within society as a whole.

Community

Despite her busy team and class schedule, Deiter manages to remain active in the community as well. As a team, the Blue Devils participate in several community service events, including reaching out to local elementary schools where Deiter and the rest of her teammates read to the children and assist teachers with various tasks. Deiter also takes advantage of other opportunities to benefit the community on her own time, joining others in helping young children play soccer.

Competition

In her three years as a Blue Devil, Deiter has started in all 53 matches in which she has played (missing only two as a freshman) accumulating just over 4,921 minutes between the posts. She has registered a total of 260 saves, 13 shutouts and was named Northeast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and All-NEC First Team in 2012. Throughout her career, Deiter has also accumulated NEC Defensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors.  This past summer, Deiter was named All-East Goalkeeper of the Year as a member of the Women’s Premier Soccer League’s (WPSL) New England Mutiny. Deiter led the team defensively to its sixth appearance at the WPSL National Championship in 11 years.