You Won't Believe Which 6 Seahawks Women's Soccer Stars Just Made History with Academic Honors!

ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. – In a remarkable achievement for both athletics and academics, six members of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s soccer team have been recognized by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) as part of the 2025 Division III Women’s Soccer Academic All-District® Team. This prestigious honor, announced on November 25, highlights the athletes’ excellence on the field and in the classroom. The honorees include seniors and juniors who have demonstrated not only athletic prowess but also academic excellence, boasting impressive GPAs above 3.50.

The athletes celebrated in this recognition are senior Ashlyn Bonner from Ellicott City, Md., junior Erin Clark also from Ellicott City, junior Felicia Fishburne from Millersville, Md., junior Keira O’Neail from Vienna, Va., junior Allie Petryszak from Baltimore, Md., and sophomore Megan Rusk from Eldersburg, Md. Notably, Petryszak is the sole repeat selection from the previous year’s team.

The CSC Academic All-District® Teams honor the best student-athletes for their combined performance in sports and academics. The selection process is rigorous; student-athletes must be nominated by communications directors, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50, and demonstrate high athletic standards. Following this accolade, Bonner and Petryszak have both earned spots as finalists for the Academic All-America® award, with national selections to be announced on December 17.

At the heart of the team’s success, Bonner stands out as a three-year team captain. She is pursuing a double major in English and psychology, maintaining an impressive GPA of 3.95. As a defender, the 5-9 athlete played a crucial role in the team’s successful season, contributing to 10 shutouts. This season, she also achieved First Team All-United East Conference honors, scoring one goal and leading the team with 10 assists. Her recent recognition as a member of the United Soccer Coaches All-Region IV Third Team further solidifies her impact on the field.

Clark, a physics major with a mathematics minor, boasts a GPA of 3.96. The 5-8 defender was integral in the defense that tallied 10 shutouts this season. She earned a position on the Second Team All-United East, scoring two goals and receiving the United East Elite 21 Award, recognizing her as the student-athlete with the highest GPA among the final four teams in the conference tournament.

Fishburne, majoring in psychology with a minor in neuroscience, holds a GPA of 3.93. She also secured a spot on the Second Team All-United East, contributing to the defense’s success and scoring two goals with three assists throughout the season.

O’Neail, another standout, achieves a GPA of 3.96 while majoring in political science and sociology. As a team captain and midfielder, she received First Team All-United East honors, netting six goals, including two game-winners, and provided three assists.

Petryszak, a business major with a sociology minor, maintains a GPA of 3.66. The 5-3 defender was recognized on the United Soccer Coaches All-Region IV Second Team after scoring five goals and adding an assist. Her defensive skills contributed to the team recording 10 shutouts, and she was named the United East Defensive Player of the Year while also earning First Team All-United East honors.

Rusk, a history major with a minor in educational studies, holds a GPA of 3.76. She has been named to the First Team All-United East for the second consecutive season, leading the team with seven goals and adding one assist for a total of 15 points.

This year marked a milestone for St. Mary’s College, as the Seahawks captured the United East regular-season championship title with an impressive record of 13 wins, 6 losses, and 3 draws, finishing the conference with an undefeated record of 8-0-0. Although they faced a tough end to the season, losing in penalty kicks to Penn State Harrisburg in the United East tournament championship game, the team’s performance throughout the season has set a strong foundation for future achievements.