NEWARK, Del. - - The College Sports Communicators announced its 2023 Academic All-District Women's Soccer Team, and five Wilmington University student-athletes were recognized as some of the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
Representing the Wildcats on the CSC Academic All-District Team are Sammy Bennett, Gabbi Corchiani, Emilie Larsen, Anna Ljuljic, Mio Nakajima, and Julia Yuhase. The Wildcats are six of the 36 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference representative, tied for the most in the conference.
To be eligible for CSC Academic All-District nomination, the student-athlete must excel in both the field of play and the classroom. Student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically, at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average, AND compete in 90 percent of the institution's games or start in at least 66 percent of the games, along with several other criteria.
Sammie Bennett (Baltimore, Md.) graduated from Wilmington University with a bachelor's in business management and is currently studying for her MBA. She graduated with a 3.81 undergraduate GPA. She appeared in all 18 games this year as a midfielder, contributing an assist at St. Thomas Aquinas.
Gabbi Corchiani (Mays Landing, N.J.) anchored the Wilmington defense to only allowing 19 goals in 18 games. As a centerback, she also contributed offensively, contributing assists at Mercy and again at Felician. She is studying for her health sciences degree and carries a 3.51 cumulative grade point average.
Emilie Larsen (Maaloev, Denmark) played in all 18 games this year, making 17 starts. She finished fifth on the team with nine points this fall season, scoring four goals while adding an assist. She scored two of her goals in a 5-2 win at Dominican and had the game-winning goal against Bridgeport. She is studying for her behavioral science degree and is carrying a 3.63 cumulative grade point average.
Anna Ljuljic (Neumunster, Germany) appeared in all 18 games this season, making nine starts as a defensive midfielder. She had a goal and an assist against Bloomfield on Homecoming, finishing with three points on the season. She is studying for a business management degree and currently has a 3.57 cumulative grade point average.
Mio Nakajima (Osaka, Japan) anchored the defense as the last line of defense, starting all 18 games in goal for the Wildcats. She allowed 17 goals and finished the season with a 0.97 goals against average, making 58 saves with five shutouts. She is currently studying for a business management degree and is carrying a 3.80 cumulative grade point average.
Julia Yuhase (Huntingtown, Md.) was an All-CACC Second Team midfielder this season, starting all 18 games for the Wildcats. She finished the year with two goals and an assist, scoring against Bloomfield and at St. Thomas Aquinas. She is going for a health sciences degree and currently has a 3.89 cumulative grade point average.
These six Wildcats helped lead the Wildcats to an 11-3-4 overall record and a second place finish in the CACC regular season, going 8-1-2 in CACC play.