July 7, 2009

Memphis, Tenn. -

The University of Memphis Women’s Soccer Team capped off their back-to-back conference titles with academic recognition as 24 of 26 student-athletes accumulated a 3.0 or higher GPA.

The Lady Tigers finished the spring semester with a 3.576 team GPA, setting a new team record. The University of Memphis women’s soccer program had 22 of 27 student-athletes finish the 2008 fall semester with a 3.0 or higher GPA leading the Lady Tigers to a team GPA of 3.569.

Thirteen Lady Tigers student-athletes were named to the C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal List. Memphis’ women’s soccer program was the only team competing in a C-USA-sponsored sport to have double-digit honorees.

“I think it speaks volumes to the character of this group to get it done on the field with the back-to-back conference championships and also in the classroom,” Head Coach Brooks Monaghan said. “Our players really live up to the term student-athlete and know that school comes first, soccer second and social life third. Our goal in the fall will be to break the current team GPA record (3.576) as well as to continue our success on the field,” added Monaghan.

Five Lady Tigers received national and conference recognition for their efforts in the classroom. Former Lady Tigers, Kylie Hayes and Kate Murphy, along with junior midfielder Vendula Strnadova were recognized as CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV Second Team. Murphy and Strnadova were also named C-USA All-Academic First Team. Senior midfielder Laura Laufenberg and junior defender Kelsey Bakker were name Second Team C-USA All-Academic.

The 2009 season begins on August 15 as the Lady Tigers will face Samford in an exhibition match at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. Kick-off is set for 1:00 p.m.