Villanova University’s women’s soccer team has once again been celebrated for its performance on the classroom as well as the pitch.
Academic Excellence Recognized
The United Soccer Coaches recognized the Wildcats with the 2025‑26 Academic Team Award after they posted a cumulative grade point average of 3.66 for the 2025‑26 academic year, comfortably exceeding the 3.0 threshold that qualifies for the honor.
This marks the sixteenth time the program has earned the distinction, underscoring a sustained commitment to scholarly achievement that dates back over a decade.
The accolade also reflects the influence of head coach Samar Azem, who in her second season at the helm has guided the team to maintain the high academic standards set by her predecessor.
Across the country, 779 collegiate soccer programs — 327 men’s and 452 women’s — met the GPA requirement, and among them 176 institutions saw both their men’s and women’s squads honored, a group that includes Villanova.
The university’s athletic department highlighted the dual accomplishment, noting that the recognition reinforces the institution’s broader mission of developing student‑athletes who excel in both competition and scholarship.