Women’s Soccer Places Two on C-USA All-Academic First Team

BOCA RATON, Fla. – In a season with many firsts, records broken, and plateaus reached for the first time in over a decade, the Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team achieved another, off the field: having two of its players earn All-Academic First Team honors from Conference USA and InTouch Credit Union.

The team's two middle pillars on the defensive line, centerbacks Alex Maxson and Ebba Blomqvist, not only have started all 20 matches this season and tallied – out of 1,826 possible minutes – 1,785 and 1,780 minutes, respectively, but each have both set remarkably high standards in the classroom.

Maxson, a junior from Naples, Florida, was a Second Team honoree a year ago. She holds a 3.914 GPA as a double major, in finance and international business. Blomqvist, a senior, is in her second year with the squad. The Skovde, Sweden native has a 3.822 GPA in biological science.

"I'm so honored to be recognized once again by Conference USA for my academic achievements off the field," said Maxson. "I have been fortunate to receive such great support here at FAU from the athletic and academic staff as well as from my teammates. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to all of them. The success I've had in the classroom coupled with the team's success on the field has made for yet another great year."

"I am honored to receive this academic recognition," said Blomqvist. "The winning mentality in our team is a consistent part of the work both on the field and in the classroom, thus it is extremely rewarding for myself, but also the program, to receive this award."

Since joining Conference USA in 2013, FAU has been represented every season on the C-USA All-Academic Team. Maxson joins Claire Emslie are the only other multi-time honoree (with Emslie recognized in 2013, 2014, and 2015). This year's duo also becomes only the second and third ever First Team members, as Emslie was voted as such in both 2014 and 2015. Here is the full list of Owls to earn this prestigious achievement:

2013 – Emslie (Second Team), Courtney Zwetsch (Second Team)
2014 – Emslie (First Team)
2015 – Emslie (First Team)
2016 – Erica Burt (Second Team), Sydney Drinkwater (Second Team)
2017 – Maxson (Second Team)
2018 – Blomqvist (First Team), Maxson (First Team)

"We are excited to see Alex and Ebba recognized for their academic accomplishments this year by Conference USA," said Head Coach Patrick Baker. "Alex was a Second Team member last fall and so deserving of greater recognition this year. Most know of them through their soccer accomplishments and never really see the quality of their school work. Alex and Ebba both –
like so many of our players – work hard in their majors and have found a good balance of academics and athletics at Florida Atlantic University. I am very thankful that Ebba chose to transfer to FAU last year and become part of our women's soccer program. Alex was a key piece in our 2016 recruiting class that was so highly-touted and she has been a key contributor to our team since her arrival on campus two years ago. They have excelled in the classroom, on the soccer field and have been tremendous leaders for this year's team. The All-Academic Team award is a great honor and we are excited to have these two players recognized by C-USA."

The Owls are currently in the midst of the Conference USA Championship, with the semifinal round on tap Friday evening. They take on Southern Miss at 4:30 p.m. in Norfolk, Virginia.

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