KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The University of New Mexico women’s soccer program claimed another academic honor on Thursday as they were announced as Team Academic Award Winners by the United Soccer Coaches for the 2016-2017 year.
The Lobos, who set a program record with a 3.77 GPA during the spring semester, are one of 531 women’s college programs (at all levels) to earn the honor – which is bestowed upon teams who finish with a 3.0 GPA or better for the school year.
It’s the 14th time the Lobos have earned the honor and they are currently on a streak of 14 consecutive semesters of having a 3.4 GPA or better. Since the program started in 1993, the Lobos haven’t had a team GPA in a semester below 3.02 (which occurred in 1994).
“There is a culture in Lobo women’s soccer that school comes first,” UNM coach Heather Dyche said. “We recognize as a team and staff that there are no lucrative professional contracts for women’s soccer players. Our number one goal for our players is for them to leave UNM with a degree and an experience that allows them to succeed. The student-athletes on this team work incredibly hard on the field and in the classroom.”
In the two years Dyche has coached the team, the program owns a 3.61 GPA and all-time (24 years) has a 3.37 GPA.