Four UMass Dartmouth student-athletes earned Academic All-District honors from the College Sports Communicators. The recipients include field hockey's Lillian Bento and women's lacrosse players Keira Bushey, Katie Hague, and Jennifer Lins. Bento, a senior, is a Biology major with a 3.81 GPA and was a key player for the field hockey team. Bushey, a sophomore and Graphic Design major, led the Little East Conference in saves as a goalkeeper, while Hague and Lins also contributed to their teams with impressive academics and stats.

By the Numbers
  • Lillian Bento: 3.81 GPA, 19 games (1 goal, 2 assists, 4 points)
  • Keira Bushey: 3.92 GPA, 17 games (186 saves, 14.53 goals against average)
  • Katie Hague: 3.98 GPA, 17 games (7 goals, 23 ground balls)
  • Jennifer Lins: 4.00 GPA, 17 games (11 goals, 18 points)
Yes, But

The recognition comes amidst challenging seasons for both teams, with the field hockey team finishing 2-17 and the women's lacrosse team going 4-13, raising questions about how individual accomplishments align with team performance.

State of Play
  • UMass Dartmouth's field hockey team struggled in the LEC, finishing 0-6 in conference play.
  • The women鈥檚 lacrosse team placed three players on All-LEC Teams, highlighting individual success despite an overall tough season.
What's Next

As these student-athletes continue to excel academically and athletically, their performances may impact recruitment and future team strategies. The focus will likely shift to improving overall team results in the upcoming season.

Bottom Line

The academic achievements of UMass Dartmouth athletes underscore the importance of balancing academics and athletics, even in tough competitive environments. Recognizing these athletes shines a light on the potential for personal excellence amid team challenges.