KANSAS CITY, Mo. – United Soccer Coaches announced on Friday the association’s Women’s Scholar All-Region Teams for NCAA Division III and Gustavus senior Sophie Leininger (Plymouth, Minn.) was named to the All-North/Central Third Team.
Student-athletes receiving Scholar All-Region recognition meet the following criteria:
- 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) or better throughout career
- Started more than 50 percent of all games and significantly contribute to their team
- Nominated by head coach of current College Services member institution
- Junior or above in academic standing; and, if a transfer student, in second year at school
The United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-Region honor adds to a long list of accolades for Leininger. The Wayzata product garnered her second MIAC Elite 22 Award as the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the conference championship. Leininger, who was named CoSIDA Academic All-District, boasts a 3.99 GPA, majoring in political science and psychological science. The midfielder started all 20 games this season as she scored two goals and helped on six others to lead the team in assists. Leininger finished her career with 76 games played, six goals, and 18 assists, which ranks sixth in program history. She received MIAC All-Conference honors after the 2015 Gusties won the league playoff championship and appeared in the NCAA Championships. She was named All-MIAC honorable mention this season.