In a recent announcement by College Sports Communicators, the Women’s Soccer Academic All-District selections were revealed, and it includes several standout student-athletes from the University of Kentucky. Maggy Henschler, Taya Hjorth, Marz Josephson, Maya Lacognato, Payton Robertson, and Anna Young have all been recognized for their outstanding academic and athletic achievements.
To be eligible for the Academic All-District selections, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically. Undergraduate student-athletes must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50, while graduate student-athletes must have a 3.50 cumulative GPA as both an undergraduate and graduate student. Transfer student-athletes in their first semester at a new institution must have maintained a 3.50 GPA at their former school. Additionally, student-athletes must have competed in 90% of their institution’s games or started in at least 66% of games played. Each institution is limited to six award recipients.
The selected student-athletes will now have their candidacy evaluated by a sub-committee to determine if they will advance to be considered for Academic All-American status. Being named an Academic All-American is a prestigious honor reserved for student-athletes who excel in both their sport and the classroom. The Academic All-American selection for women’s soccer will be announced on December 20.
Let’s take a closer look at each of the Kentucky women’s soccer players who have been recognized as Academic All-District honorees:
Maggy Henschler, a graduate student from Janesville, Wisconsin, served as captain on the Wildcats’ roster. Henschler started 18 games this season at center back and played the full 90 minutes in all 10 of the team’s SEC regular-season contests. She is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Kentucky.
Taya Hjorth, a junior from Commerce Township, Michigan, made 16 starts and appeared in 18 games for the Wildcats this season. Hjorth, a center back, scored her first collegiate goal during Kentucky’s victory over UT Martin. She is currently studying Exercise Science at UK.
Marz Josephson, a native of Apex, North Carolina, had a standout season as Kentucky’s starting goalkeeper. Josephson played all 1,730 minutes in net, finishing the season with nine shutouts and a 0.62 goals against average. She is pursuing a master’s degree in counseling.
Maya Lacognato, a graduate-transfer from IUPUI, started all 19 games for Kentucky this season. Lacognato, a midfielder from Granger, Indiana, tallied eight points on three goals and two assists. She is enrolled in a graduate certificate program in Sport, Fitness & Recreation Management at UK.
Payton Robertson, a midfielder from Toronto, joined the Wildcats this season after transferring from Buffalo. Robertson appeared in all 19 matches and made three starts, scoring a goal in Kentucky’s 3-0 win at Iowa State. She is studying Community and Leadership Development at UK.
Anna Young, a senior midfielder from Gaithersburg, Maryland, led all Kentucky field players with 1,659 minutes played this season. Young, a team captain, also registered her first collegiate point with an assist in a draw against Tennessee. She is majoring in Exercise Science.
Congratulations to Maggy Henschler, Taya Hjorth, Marz Josephson, Maya Lacognato, Payton Robertson, and Anna Young for their exceptional performances on and off the field. Their hard work and dedication to both academics and athletics have earned them well-deserved recognition.
