EMU women’s soccer recognized for team play

The EMU women’s soccer team earned a Silver Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award from United Soccer Coaches.

This is the fourth straight year the Royals have been recognized by the coaches association (formerly the National Soccer Coaches Association of America), earning the Silver Award two years running after a Gold Award in 2016 and a Silver in 2015.

The Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award recognizes teams that exhibit fair play, sporting behavior and adherence to the laws of the game, reflected by the number of yellow or red cards they receive. The Eastern Mennonite women were given just three yellow cards over the course of their 14-game season. That 21.4% card percentage (total cards divided by total games) qualified them for the Silver Award.

Coach Ted Erickson said earning the award year after year is a testament to the players.

“We are extremely proud to have been awarded for the fourth straight year a United Soccer Coaches Ethics and Sportsmanship Award,” he explained. “Our young women who make up the women’s soccer program are committed to playing hard and aggressive but playing within the rules of the game and showing full respect to the officiating crew as well as their opponents. This award is something we hope to continue to earn in the coming years as well as climbing up the ODAC standings.”

The award was open to all levels of collegiate soccer, both four-year and two-year institutions. The Royals were one of only four teams from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference recognized among the 104 total collegiate programs, joined by Sweet Briar, Hollins and Bridgewater.

Eastern Mennonite finished the 2018 season with a record of 6-8, including 4-6 in the ODAC. The Royals averaged 1.93 goals per game, their highest mark since the 2013.

• Click here to see the full list of teams awarded by United Soccer Coaches.