Friday, October 5, 2018

PORTLAND, Ore. - Four GNAC soccer programs were announced as 2017-18 College Team Academic Award Winners by the United Soccer Coaches on Thursday.

The Concordia, Montana State Billings, Seattle Pacific and Western Washington men's and women's soccer teams were all honored as NCAA soccer programs to maintain a team grade-point average of 3.0 or higher last season. It was the second consecutive year that both the Yellowjackets and Falcons men's and women's sides received the recognition. 

A total of 198 schools were recognized for having both their men’s and women’s programs exceed the 3.0 GPA qualification, while a total of 782 soccer teams qualified overall.

On the men’s side, SPU earned the highest GNAC GPA with a 3.34 under head coach Mark Collings. Concordia was the next highest representative from the conference at 3.18.

As for the women, MSUB pulled off a 3.62 mark with Stephen Cavallo at the helm, while the Falcons followed closely behind at 3.51.

Seven of the eight teams honored will return to the pitch on Saturday, Oct. 8. The No. 10 Cavaliers women's side will take the field again on Oct. 11 at Seattle Pacific.