University of North Carolina Athletics
Four Men’s Soccer Players Earn Academic All-District Honors
November 22, 2022 | Men's Soccer, Academics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Four University of North Carolina men's soccer players in Ahmad Al-Qaq, Victor Olofsson, Tim Schels and Riley Thomas have earned Academic All-District honors from College Sports Communicators, formerly known as CoSIDA.
The Academic All-District Men's Soccer Team recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. To be eligible for the honor, one must be a starter or important reserve who owns a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher with at least a sophomore standing.
Academic All-District recipients now advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot with honorees being announced in early December.
Al-Qaq, a junior from Oak Ridge, N.C., owns a 3.694 GPA as a neuroscience major. The midfielder appeared in 15 games during the 2022 season with his first start coming in the season opener against Air Force, also logging a career-high 48 minutes versus East Tennessee State.
A native of Vaernamo, Sweden, who will earn his degree in business administration, Olofsson has maintained an impressive 3.953 GPA during his time at UNC. The senior midfielder saw action in all 19 games this season and earned a starting role in the first round of both the ACC and NCAA tournaments.
Schels is a junior midfielder who is majoring in exercise and sport science with a 3.771 GPA. The team captain from Erding, Germany, who started in all but one game this year, tied for the team lead with four assists and was the United Soccer Coaches College Player of the Week on Nov. 2.
Hailing from Atlanta, Ga., Thomas is also an exercise and sport science major and possesses a 3.533 cumulative GPA. The junior defender is one of five Tar Heels who started every contest this season and ranked second on the roster with 1700 minutes.
Olofsson, Schels and Thomas are also multi-time All-ACC Academic Team honorees.
Stay up to date with Carolina men's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Academic All-District Men's Soccer Team recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. To be eligible for the honor, one must be a starter or important reserve who owns a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher with at least a sophomore standing.
Academic All-District recipients now advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot with honorees being announced in early December.
Al-Qaq, a junior from Oak Ridge, N.C., owns a 3.694 GPA as a neuroscience major. The midfielder appeared in 15 games during the 2022 season with his first start coming in the season opener against Air Force, also logging a career-high 48 minutes versus East Tennessee State.
A native of Vaernamo, Sweden, who will earn his degree in business administration, Olofsson has maintained an impressive 3.953 GPA during his time at UNC. The senior midfielder saw action in all 19 games this season and earned a starting role in the first round of both the ACC and NCAA tournaments.
Schels is a junior midfielder who is majoring in exercise and sport science with a 3.771 GPA. The team captain from Erding, Germany, who started in all but one game this year, tied for the team lead with four assists and was the United Soccer Coaches College Player of the Week on Nov. 2.
Hailing from Atlanta, Ga., Thomas is also an exercise and sport science major and possesses a 3.533 cumulative GPA. The junior defender is one of five Tar Heels who started every contest this season and ranked second on the roster with 1700 minutes.
Olofsson, Schels and Thomas are also multi-time All-ACC Academic Team honorees.
Stay up to date with Carolina men's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerUNC Softball: Dark Ks 8 in No-Hitter vs Queens, 8-0
Thursday, April 09
UNC Baseball: Tar Heels Hold Off Charlotte, 8-4
Wednesday, April 08
UNC Basketball: Michael Malone Introductory Press Conference
Wednesday, April 08
Carolina Insider - Interview with HEAD COACH Michael Malone (Full Segment) - April 7, 2026
Tuesday, April 07