University of North Carolina Athletics

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
Thomas Earns Scholar All-America Honors
December 15, 2023 | Men's Soccer, Academics
KANSAS CITY, MO. - North Carolina men's soccer defender Riley Thomas was named to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America Team, the organization announced Friday afternoon.Â
Thomas, an exercise and sport science major, collects academic honors for the third-straight season. In his Carolina career, Thomas has also added two All-ACC Academic Team honors to his resume.Â
In order to be eligible for the recognition from the United Soccer Coaches, each student-athlete must be a junior or senior in academic standing, be in their second year at the current institution, and have at least a 3.4 cumulative grade point average. In addition, each student-athlete must have played a minimum of 75-percent of contests throughout the season and collected conference or national honors on the field.Â
An All-ACC Second Team and United Soccer Coaches All-South Region honoree, Thomas appeared in 18 matches this fall, earning the start 17 times. The Atlanta, Ga. native logged 1,965 minutes, playing the full 90 on 13 occasions. Thomas helped anchor a Carolina defense that ranked second in the ACC in goals allowed (15) and goals allowed average (0.67/game).
Thomas played a key part in the Tar Heel success this season, helping Carolina earn the No. 3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, appearing in the NCAA quarterfinals for the 14th time in program history.
Thomas, an exercise and sport science major, collects academic honors for the third-straight season. In his Carolina career, Thomas has also added two All-ACC Academic Team honors to his resume.Â
In order to be eligible for the recognition from the United Soccer Coaches, each student-athlete must be a junior or senior in academic standing, be in their second year at the current institution, and have at least a 3.4 cumulative grade point average. In addition, each student-athlete must have played a minimum of 75-percent of contests throughout the season and collected conference or national honors on the field.Â
An All-ACC Second Team and United Soccer Coaches All-South Region honoree, Thomas appeared in 18 matches this fall, earning the start 17 times. The Atlanta, Ga. native logged 1,965 minutes, playing the full 90 on 13 occasions. Thomas helped anchor a Carolina defense that ranked second in the ACC in goals allowed (15) and goals allowed average (0.67/game).
Thomas played a key part in the Tar Heel success this season, helping Carolina earn the No. 3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, appearing in the NCAA quarterfinals for the 14th time in program history.
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