Sept. 5, 2009

CHAPEL HILL - University of North Carolina women's lacrosse players Kristen Taylor and Meredith Newton both earned spots on the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Academic Squad, released this week by the IWLCA.

Newton, a biology/psychology double-major, was a sophomore on the field this past season with junior academic standing. She started 18 games for the Tar Heels on the defensive line, helping to lead Carolina to the NCAA championship game.

Taylor, a junior business major in 2009, led UNC with 37 goals and was second on the squad with 50 overall points. She earned a spot on the All-Atlantic Coast Conference team for her play on the field.

The IWLCA has recognized 407 student-athletes at 152 institutions for their excellence in the classroom during the 2008-09 academic year. All student-athletes were nominated by their institutions and have attained at least junior standing academically.

Nominees considered had a GPA of at least 3.5 or were in the top 10 percent of their squad. Included in the list of honorees are the IWLCA Scholar-Athletes of the Year: Anna Ford from Elizabethtown College, Julie Kraus from Southern New Hampshire University and Kristin Schwab from Princeton University.