KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The UNC Pembroke soccer team continued a rich tradition for itself on Thursday afternoon when the Braves were one of 889 college soccer teams nationwide to be decorated with the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award.
 
The announcement marked the 11^th time in program history, as well as the seventh-straight year, that the Black & Gold has been crowned with the honor. The Braves combined to post a 3.331 team grade point average during the 2019-20 academic year, including an impressive 3.723 cumulative team GPA during the Spring 2020 term.
 
Five players earned a spot on the Peach Belt Conference's Team of Academic Distinction during the fall, including then-senior Katy Ryan who went on to nab Scholar All-America accolades from the United Soccer Coaches. Six players from last year's squad – Leticia Cantera, Brianna De Coteau, Maya Grimes, Gina Ryan, Katy Ryan and Caroline Uenking – picked up D2ADA Academic Achievement recognition this month after maintaining a 3.5 cumulative GPA or better through the Spring 2020 semester.
 
UNCP picked up its first of 11 United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Awards in 2011. The Braves also earned the award in 2020, as well as following each of the last seven campaigns.