KANSAS CITY, MO – The Francis Marion University women's soccer program earned the College Team Academic Award from the United Soccer Coaches organization for the 2025-26 academic year. It marks the fourth-straight year the Patriots have earned the academic accolade and the 15th time in the past 23 seasons.

Francis Marion was one of 452 women's programs nationwide (across all levels and divisions) to earn the award, and one of six programs in the Conference Carolinas to be recognized. The Patriot women's and men's programs were honored with the academic laurel, the only conference institution to achieve both recognitions.

To be eligible, a program must have posted a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the 2025-26 academic year.

The Francis Marion women's squad posted a 3.38 GPA last year.

On the field, third-year head coach Sam Holmes guided the Patriots to an impressive 17-3-0 record, the Conference Carolinas East Division crown, the No. 1 overall seed in the Conference Carolinas Tournament, and a consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Additionally, FMU started the year 14-0-0, which was the best start in program history, and was featured in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll for the final eight weeks of the 2025 season.

Entering the 2026 campaign, the Patriots are receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches preseason Top 25 rankings. Francis Marion kicks off the year under the lights at Hartzler Field with a home matchup against USC Aiken at 7 p.m.