Ten Cougars receive WCC All-Academic honors

SAN MATEO, Calif. – Ten BYU women’s soccer student-athletes received West Coast Conference academic honors, the conference announced Monday.

The awards are given to WCC athletes who excelled this year both on the field and in the classroom. To be considered, a student-athlete must be a sophomore, junior or senior; maintain at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average; and be a significant contributor to the team.

Mikayla Colohan, Cassidy Smith and Bella Folino were named to the All-Academic First Team.

Colohan graduated from BYU with a degree in exercise and wellness in 2021, and played her final season as a post-baccalaureate student with a 3.47 GPA. The fifth-year senior was named the WCC Player of the Year for the third consecutive year, after a historic performance this season. This is Colohan's second All-Academic First Team honor, with Honorable Mention honors in 2018 and 2019. During the 2021 season, Colohan averaged the nation's best of 5.58 shots per game. She led the country in total points (51), and had the second-most total goals (18). She was also the WCC Midfielder of the Year, Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Year and MAC Hermann Trophy finalist.

Smith totaled 56 saves and started in all 24 games while maintaining a 3.96 GPA. The senior walked in April 2022 with a degree in exercise and wellness and minors in family life, business and nonprofit management. Smith was also named to the NCAA West Region Third Team following the 2021 NCAA Women's College Cup.

Folino is receiving academic honors for the second time in her career and studies Business Strategy, with a 4.0 GPA. Folino also secured her spot on the WCC second team following the 2021 season, with nine goals and one assist. Folino currently has the 17th most goals in BYU history with 25 throughout her career.

Seven other BYU women’s soccer student-athletes, including Ashton Johnson, Ellie Maughan, Rachel McCarthy, Brecken Mozingo, Kendell Petersen, Jamie Shepherd and Olivia Smith received WCC All-Academic Honorable Mention.