Academic excellence has again been achieved by the East Central Community College women’s soccer program. The 2009 squad was named NJCAA Women’s Soccer Academic Team of the Year, after earning a 3.45 grade point average for the fall 2009 term. The Lady Soccer Warriors edged Navarro College of Corsicana, Texas, for the prestigious honor. Navarro posted a 3.43 GPA. The Lady Bulldogs of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College finished third with a 3.42 GPA. Itawamba Community College was also among the top academic teams and finished ninth with a 3.29 grade point average. ECCC previously won the top academic award in 2005 with a 3.51 GPA and finished fifth (3.24 GPA) in 2006, fourth (3.26 GPA) in 2007 and sixth in 2008 (3.31). The Lady Soccer Warriors are featured in the latest issue of JUCO Review, the official publication of the National Junior College Athletic Association, in recognition of the award. Team members and their respective high schools include (seated from left) forward/midfielder/keeper Laurel Burnett , Neshoba Central; defender Kathyrn White, Northeast Lauderdale; forward Jessy Harrison and midfielder Monica Vincent , both of Newton County; midfielder/team captain Alanna Fairchild, Neshoba Central; and midfielder Marcia Guerreiro, Richland; (kneeling from left) midfielder Liz Withers, Neshoba Central; defenders Lisa Tubby of Philadelphia and Sarah Costello of Northeast Lauderdale; midfielder/forward Polly Vaughn, Newton County; defender Jasmine Buclon, New Albany; and midfielder Mamie Shannon, a home-schooled student of Union; and (standing from left) Kenneth Thompson, head coach; Brooke White, assistant coach; midfielder/defender Jacqueline Pionan, Jerupang International, Labuan, Malaysia; keepers/defenders Brandy Greer of Carthage and Brooke Boulton of Newton County; and managers Jarvis Jordan of Long Beach and Jesus Martinez of Grenada; and Kayla Moorehead, East Rankin Academy. Not pictured is keeper Anna-Rose Blaylock of Newton County Academy. ECCC is located in Decatur.