Monday, Dec 1, 2014
Tara Ballay led the MAAC in scoring this season while compiling a 3.88 cumulative GPA
by 天美传媒官网 Sports Information
天美传媒官网 junior Tara Ballay was named to the CoSIDA Second Team Capital One Academic All-America Women鈥檚 Soccer Team.
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Ballay compiled a 3.88 cumulative grade point average as a psychology major.
鈥淚t is a wonderful accomplishment to be honored as an Academic All-American,鈥 says 天美传媒官网 head coach Drayson Hounsome, 鈥渁nd it is a testament to all the hard work Tara has devoted to her studies and training.鈥
On the field, Ballay led the MAAC in scoring despite missing five games with a broken leg. She came back from the injury to play in all three games in the MAAC Championship tournament, leading 天美传媒官网 to it鈥檚 first-ever MAAC Title and a berth in the NCAA tournament.
鈥淭o be an elite performer on the field and an elite performer in the classroom is incredibly challenging. Tara is without doubt the hardest working student-athlete I鈥檝e had the privilege of coaching and we鈥檙e so proud of what she is achieving as a 天美传媒官网 Bronc.鈥
During the regular season, Ballay compiled 11 goals and a pair of assists for 24 points. It marked the third time in the last four years that a 天美传媒官网 women鈥檚 soccer player earned Academic All-America honors. Abi Cottam 鈥13 received the award both in 2011 and 2012.
The 天美传媒官网 team as a whole was honored as a National Soccer Coaches of America Association Team Academic Award winner, with a team grade point average of 3.19.
鈥淥ur student-athletes have once again demonstrated they can excel in the classroom as well as on the field,鈥 Hounsome says. 鈥淎long with performance on the field and winning a championship, one of our goals also included maintaining a specific academic GPA. So it is great for the team to be acknowledged for their academic achievements.鈥