KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Saint Mary's soccer team was one of more than 480 collegiate women's soccer programs to earn the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for the 2017-18 academic year.
In order for a team to be recognized, a program must have at least a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and the coach of the team must be an active member of the United Soccer Coaches College Service Program. Last year, the team had a 3.33 cumulative GPA. It is the thirteenth consecutive year and fourteenth such honor since 2004 for the Saint Mary's soccer program.
" As student-athletes, each player on the soccer team maintains a competitive nature and desire to succeed," said team captain Kellen Hinchey. "Whether on the field or in the classroom, we are motivated to excel in all that we do."
"Our program's top priority is to excel in the classroom," added head coach Jesse Urquhart. "I am blessed to coach outstanding student-athletes who take pride in their education. We will continue to build upon our academic success. We're on a path to match that level of excellence in the classroom on the pitch!"
Saint Mary's is joined by fellow MIAA members Albion, Calvin, Hope, and Kalamazoo as women's program honorees for the 2017-18 academic year. In total, 484 women's programs and 289 men's programs were recognized by the United Soccer Coaches for their academic excellence last year.
