McBride and Sutch Named to Inaugural Academic All-Atlantic Sun Team
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Two Belmont women's soccer players were named to the inaugural Atlantic Sun All-Academic Team as announced by the league on Thursday. Seniors Morgan McBride (Collierville, Tenn.) and Gretchen Sutch (Knoxville, Tenn.) were among the 15 student-athletes selected for their prowess on the field as well as in the classroom.
The A-Sun introduced the new sport-by-sport Academic All-Conference teams this fall to recognize student-athletes who embody the conference's mission of Building Winners for Life. All the members of the team boast a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (GPA) or better and participated in at least half of their team's matches.
McBride played in all but five contests over last four years, starting all but three in the back over last three years. Her tenacity now has her tied for ninth all-time in matches started at Belmont. This season, the Collierville, Tenn., native was tied for second on team in goals scored, after netting first career goal and game-winner on a penalty kick in Belmont shutout of Eastern Illinois (8/26). Already a standout academically, McBride was a three-time Atlantic Sun All-Academic Team honoree and received an Atlantic Sun Scholar Award in 2010.
Sutch has played in all 75 contests over the last four years, starting 66. In the Belmont record books, the defender is tied for 15th all-time for matches played and tied for 11th all-time in game-winning goals. This season, Sutch leads Belmont in points (9) and goals (3). Among all players in Atlantic Sun only games, she is tied for 10th in both goals and goals per game. A three-time Atlantic Sun All-Academic Team selection, Sutch also received an Atlantic Sun Scholar Award in 2010.
Joining McBride and Sutch on the inaugural team are Kathryne Husted, UNF; Olivia Tucker, Mercer; Becca Massip, Jacksonville; Caitlin Gaughan, ETSU; Danielle Bethke, Lipscomb; Kristen Heikkinen, Lipscomb; Genna Petersen, ETSU; Jennifer Crittenberger, FGCU; Lucy Goffe, ETSU; Denisse Soltero, North Florida; Crossley Simmons, Stetson; and Sarah Plantz, USC Upstate.
