CHICAGO (September 23, 2021) – For an 11^th consecutive year, both the Loyola University Chicago men's and women's soccer teams have earned the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award, it was announced on Thursday.
 
In order to qualify for the award, teams must have closed the 2020-21 academic year with a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.  A total of 602 teams were recognized across all divisions of college soccer.
 
Led by head coach Barry Bimbi, Loyola's women's team finished the previous academic slate with a 3.66 team mark, ranking second among the four Missouri Valley Conference schools honored.
 
The Rambler men, under the direction of head coach Neil Jones, closed last year with a 3.42 grade-point average and, like the women's side, landed second in the group of four Valley institutions recognized.
 
Both teams continue MVC play on Saturday, September 25 as part of Alumni Night at Loyola Soccer Park.  Loyola's women's team will battle UNI at 4 p.m., with the men scheduled to take on Drake at 7 p.m.