Monmouth goalkeeper Amanda Knaub has a 3.98 GPA. (Photo courtesy of Monmouth SID)

Four Monmouth University women’s players earned Scholar All-Region honors, it was announced by the United Soccer Coaches this week.

Seniors Jess Johnson, Amanda Knaub and Anna Lazur and junior Sarina Jones were recognized for their work in the classroom.

“Our team expects excellence in the classroom,” head coach Krissy Turner said. “For our program to have four student-athletes achieve scholar all-region is a fantastic honor. Jess, Amanda, Anna and Sarina committed themselves to being the best on and off the field. This recognition is a reflection of our team’s standards, but more importantly, I must give credit to each of them for their amazing level of dedication to their academics.”

Johnson was named to the All-East Region first team for the second consecutive year. Knaub was a second team selection, while Lazur and Jones landed on the third team. The awards marked the fourth consecutive season Monmouth has had multiple regional academic award winners. The four honorees were the most in program history.

Johnson, Knaub, Lazur and Jones played a major role in Monmouth’s NCAA leading defensive efforts as the Hawks combined to lead the nation in goals-against average, save percentage and shutout percentage. Monmouth allowed an NCAA-low four goals to its opponents en route to its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

Johnson owns a 3.90 grade-point average as a Social Work major. Knaub’s had 3.98 GPA in Criminal Justice, Lazur at 3.76 in Health Studies and Jones 3.66 GPA in Health Studies.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.