The Northern Illinois University men’s soccer program was named a recipient of the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award, announced by the organization on Thursday (July 28). This marks the sixth consecutive season in which the Huskies have garnered the recognition.

NIU posted a team grade point average of 3.27 during the 2021-22 school year and nine Huskies earned Academic All-MAC honors, including Enrique Banuelos (Mexico City, Mexico/Virginia) who also became the seventh CoSIDA Academic All-American in program history.

The Huskies, who tied a school record with 15 wins in 2021, won both the Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament titles, advancing to the NCAA Tournament Second Round. NIU finished the season ranked 21st in the final United Soccer Coaches National Rankings and are one of just 13 programs to finish the season ranked in the top-25 and receive the Team Academic Award.

Team Academic Award recipients are active members of the United Soccer Coaches College Services Program with a composite grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for all players on the roster during the 2021-22 academic year.