BIRMINGHAM – Asha Zuniga has been named Conference USA’s 2022-23 Women’s Soccer Scholar Athlete of the Year. The award, voted on by the conference’s 11 Faculty Athletics Representatives, is presented to the top student-athlete in each conference-sponsored sport based on academic achievement, athletic achievement and service.
In the classroom, the Health Care Management major who has a grade point average of 3.97 has earned the prestigious Conference USA Academic Medal for having a GPA over 3.75. Additionally, she has been a member of the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll, UAB Dean’s List and the UAB President’s List.
On the field, the reigning Conference USA Defender of the Year was selected First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Academic and was a three-time Defensive Player of the Week. The team captain led UAB to a No. 4 ranking final in the United Soccer Coaches South Region Poll while anchoring the backline that was 15th in GAA the South Region.
In the community, she has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Bundles of Hope, Feed My Starving Children and the Lakeshore Foundation.
Additionally, she is a member of UAB’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for this award,” said Zuniga. “It shows just how much work student-athletes put in, academically, athletically and within our community.”
This is Zuniga’s second CUSA award as she was the recipient of the 2022 Fall Spirit of Service Award, which is given to the league’s student-athletes who contribute to the community through service project efforts, are in good academic standing and through participation in their respective sport.
Zuniga becomes the third UAB women’s soccer player to win this award joining Denise Peters in 2002 and Briana McCarty in 2005.
For more information on the UAB women’s soccer team, follow @UAB_WSoc on Twitter and Instagram.
