UNC women’s soccer standouts Brianna Pinto and Rachel Jones were each named NCAA Division I Academic All-Americans on Monday, an honor recognizing achievements both on and off the field.

Pinto was a Second Team Academic All-American selection, while Jones earned a spot on the Third Team.

The Tar Heels were one of just five schools nationally to have multiple players earn this honor, and the only ACC school to do so.

A junior midfielder from Durham, Pinto was one of three finalists for the MAC Hermann Trophy — which is given to the nation’s top player. She is a two-time All-American and three-time All-ACC selection who was drafted No. 3 overall in the NWSL Draft earlier this year by Gotham FC.

In addition, Pinto is a business administration major and a recipient of a merit scholarship from the Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Jones ranked second on the team behind Pinto in scoring this past season and earned both Third Team All-American and First Team All-ACC recognition. She also serves as president of UNC’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council and was a 2021 recipient of UNC’s Top-10 Scholar Athlete award — which recognizes the top cumulative grade point averages among graduating student-athletes.

While completing her fifth year of eligibility this fall, Jones will begin her studies at the UNC School of Law.

Pinto and Jones led the Tar Heels to an 18-2 record this past season and an appearance in the College Cup, where they fell in the national semifinals to eventual national champion Santa Clara.

 

 

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