KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs women's soccer team adds to their national honors with Jade Kinsey and Makayla Merlo both being named to the United Soccer Coaches Women's Scholar All-American First Team, the organization announced midday Friday.

Student-athletes on this year's Scholar All-America Teams will be formally acknowledged for their accomplishments on the field and in the classroom at the United Soccer Coaches All-America Ceremony & Reception on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Convention.

Redshirt senior and Sociology major Jade Kinsey put together a career year on the field and in the classroom, posting a career high two goals, three assists and seven points from the backfield while earning a 3.87 grade point average. Kinsey graduates this afternoon, leaving the program as the all-time leader in minutes played in UCCS women's soccer history with 6,146 minutes in black and gold. This is Kinsey's first All-America honor, adding to her resume which includes All-Region, All-District, All-Conference, and Player of the Week distinctions.

A native of Broomfield, Colo. Makayla Merlo has left her stamp on the UCCS women's soccer program, as she ranks in the top then of every offensive category that is tracked in the record book. Leading the team this year with seven goals, Merlo also dealt two assists to bring her point total to 16 on the season. Graduating this spring with her degree in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Strength and Conditioning, Merlo earned a 3.84 grade point average, landing her first career All-American honor.

The announcement brings the women's soccer program to ten total student athletes who have been named Academic All-Americans, joining Anna Gregg (2018), Aleesa Muir (2019), Ella Fisher (2021), Tarah Patterson (2021), Abby Barhydt (2022), and Alexis Walker (2022).