HPU WLAX Squad and Three Panthers Earn IWLCA Academic Honors

HIGH POINT — The High Point University women’s lacrosse team has been recognized as an IWLCA Zag Sports Academic Honor Squad for the 2016-17 academic year. In addition, class of 2017 graduate Samantha Brown and rising seniors Erin Ilchuk and Brooke Stevens have been named to the IWLCA 2017 Zag Sports Division I Academic Honor Roll.

It marks the fourth-consecutive season the Panthers have earned the team accolade. Across NCAA Division I, II, III and NAIA, 310 schools were recognized. The Panthers combined for a spring GPA of 3.42 after a fall GPA of 3.35 and the Purple & White have a cumulative GPA of 3.31, which is the highest mark in program history.

“We make academic performance a priority in our program and I’m proud of what our girls continue to accomplish in the classroom.,” HPU head coach Lyndsey Boswell said.

This academic success comes in conjunction with great accomplishments on the field, as the Panthers captured High Point’s first NCAA Division I Tournament win and were the Big South regular season and tournament champions.

Brown, HPU’s 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year Award nominee, was named the Big South Offensive Player of the Year after setting HPU single-season records for points (87) and goals (61). She scored at least two goals in 17 games, including every Big South regular season and tournament contest. She tallied at least four goals in nine separate contests. For her efforts, Brown was named to the All-Big South First Team and All-Big South Academic Team. Brown graduated with a degree in exercise science and a 3.61 cumulative GPA. It is the second year in a row Brown was recognized on the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll.

Ilchuk posted the her best season for the Purple & White in 2017, recording career highs in goals (16), assists (11), points (27), ground balls (21), caused turnovers (8) and draw controls (11). Ilchuk is majoring in communication and holds a 3.54 cumulative GPA.

Stevens led the Panthers with 32 assists and was third on the team with 70 points and fifth with 38 goals. She recorded four or more points eight times during the season with a career-high 10 against Winthrop, the second-most points in a single game in HPU history. Stevens has a cumulative GPA of 3.93 and is majoring in exercise science.

To qualify for the team honor, the women’s lacrosse team must have posted a 3.0 or higher team GPA for the academic year.

To be eligible for the honor roll, student-athletes must be a junior, senior, or graduate student and have earned a cumulative academic GPA of 3.50 or greater.