2019 Academic All-District® Women's Soccer Teams Release (PDF)
GREENVILLE, Ind. – Coming off of a victory over rival Tusculum, junior defense Lira Mathes has been recognized as an Academic All-District Women's Soccer first-team member, announced Thursday by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
A transfer from Martin Methodist College, it is the first time that Mathes has received the award as an Eagle.
"Delighted to see that Lira is getting recognition for her amazing effort in the classroom," head coach Simon Duffy said. "She's been a very important part of our team since joining us this past spring."
Mathes, a 6-1 defender from Knoxville, Tenn. has played in 15 contests for the Eagles, receiving eight starts across 815 minutes played on the campaign. She has scored two goals this season, delivering one of the most memorable highlights of the season when she scored a header from a corner kick in the 84th minute to knock off then-No. 6 Lincoln Memorial on Sept. 18 at McCown Field.
Her second score came on Oct. 12 at Coker. She's registered eight shots on the season, with five landing on goal. In Wednesday's rivalry tilt against the Pioneers, she played the full 95 minutes.
The All-District award winners are recognized by CoSIDA as the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the playing field and in the classroom. Mathes is one of 14 players from the NCAA Division II's third district to receive the honor, which includes teams that compete in the South Atlantic Conference, Conference Carolinas and Peach Belt Conference.
Mathes is one of four players in the district that have earned a 4.0 GPA, respectively.
The next step of the voting process will be the CoSIDA Academic All-America ballot, which is set be announced in early December.
