December 16, 2002

GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College soccer team proved to be one of the elite in Division III this season by reaching the semifinals of the NCAA Championship Tournament. The Herons also proved to be among the nation’s best in the classroom.

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America recently announced its 2002 Team Academic Award winners. William Smith was one of 213 women’s soccer team’s in the NCAA and NAIA to post a minimum 3.0 team grade point average during the 2001-02 academic year. The Herons also earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award in 2001.

Led by legendary Head Coach Aliceann Wilber, William Smith has posted an amazing 19 consecutive winning seasons, 16 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, and three consecutive NCAA Regional Championships.

During the 2001 season while the Herons were earning their 3.26 team GPA in the classroom, they recorded a 17-2-1 record and advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals.

This season, Wilber became the first female college soccer coach to win 300 games, raising her career mark to 304-95-28, while guiding William Smith to a 17-4-3 record and the program’s sixth appearance in the NCAA Semifinals.

The Herons, who compete in the eight-team Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association, compiled the highest GPA in the league, besting St. Lawrence (3.23), the only other UCAA school to earn the award.

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