In a strong showing of both brains and ball control, Boston College women’s soccer landed nine players on the 2025 ACC All-Academic Team - a nod not just to their performance on the pitch, but to their consistent excellence in the classroom.
The Atlantic Coast Conference announced the honors Wednesday, spotlighting a BC squad that’s clearly putting in the work on and off the field. Midfield trio Isabella Douglas, Baylor Goldthwaite, and Ashley Roberts earned the recognition for the second time in their careers - a testament to their sustained academic focus while anchoring the Eagles’ midfield. For six others - Natalie Grosse, Sadie Mathis, Ava McNeil, Olivia Shippee, Elly Slensky, and Anndi Wright - this marks their first selection to the prestigious list.
To make the ACC All-Academic Team, student-athletes must carry at least a 3.0 GPA for the most recent semester and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA over the course of their academic careers. But this isn’t just about grades - athletic performance also factors into the equation. That means these nine Eagles weren’t just hitting the books; they were making an impact on the field, too.
Let’s break down the honorees:
- Isabella Douglas (M, Psychology) - A returning All-Academic selection, Douglas continues to be a steady presence in the midfield while balancing the demands of a psychology major.
- Baylor Goldthwaite (M, Biochemistry) - Another two-time honoree, Goldthwaite is mastering the midfield and one of the most rigorous academic tracks BC offers.
- Ashley Roberts (M, Undeclared) - Though she hasn’t declared a major yet, Roberts has clearly declared her intent to excel, earning her second academic nod.
- Natalie Grosse (M, Psychology) - Grosse brings both poise and precision to the midfield, and now adds academic accolades to her résumé.
- Sadie Mathis (F, Economics) - A forward with an eye for goal and a sharp mind for numbers, Mathis earns her first All-Academic honor.
- Ava McNeil (F, Applied Psychology) - McNeil’s contributions up front were matched by her work in the classroom, where she’s studying applied psychology.
- Olivia Shippee (GK, Applied Psychology) - The Eagles’ goalkeeper held it down in net while pursuing a degree in applied psych, earning her first academic team selection.
- Elly Slensky (M, Psychology) - Another midfield standout, Slensky adds academic recognition to her growing list of achievements.
- Anndi Wright (M, Management) - Wright’s leadership in the midfield translates well to her management studies, making her a well-rounded asset on and off the field.
This kind of academic depth speaks volumes about the culture within the Boston College program. It’s one thing to compete at a high level in the ACC - one of the toughest conferences in women’s college soccer - but to do it while maintaining academic excellence is another challenge entirely. These nine student-athletes are handling both with confidence and commitment.
For Boston College, this isn’t just a win for the women’s soccer program - it’s a reflection of a broader standard of excellence. And with a mix of repeat honorees and first-timers, it’s clear the pipeline of talent and discipline is strong.