Rio Hondo's Hernandez named United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American
WHITTIER - Rio Hondo College sophomore Alice Hernandez was recently named Junior College Women's Scholar All-American by United Soccer Coaches. Just 26 student-athletes nationwide earned the prestigious academic honor including only three from the California Community College Athletic Association.
The United Soccer Coaches is an organization of American soccer coaches founded in 1941. It is the largest soccer coaches organization in the world, with more than 30,000 members. It offers training courses for both beginning and experienced coaches and a wide range of award programs.
Hernandez, originally out of Downey High School, compiled a 3.91 grade point average during the 2020-21 academic year. She was also named to the California Community College Soccer Coaches Association (CCCSCA) Scholar Athlete team.
Women's soccer head coach Jennifer Tanaka-Hoshijo has always stressed the importance of academics as well as the success on the field.
"We are so proud of Alice for being recognized by the United Soccer Coaches as a Scholar All-American," Tanaka-Hoshijo said. "Her academic and athletic achievements are a result of a commitment to do her best in the classroom and on the field. It is this type of commitment that has enabled the Rio Hondo women's soccer program to transfer 90 percent of our sophomores."
Last year, Rio Hondo earned its eighth consecutive United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award.
On the field, Hernandez totaled 17 points during the Roadrunners' last action in 2019. She led her squad with 13 assists and scored a pair of goals. That season, Rio Hondo was ranked as high as No. 10 in the nation and closed the year with a 15-2-3 overall record. The Roadrunners went a perfect 8-0 in South Coast Conference play to capture the SCC championship and made their sixth consecutive postseason appearance.
Hernandez and the Roadrunners are looking forward to finally returning to the field for competition this fall.
(Chris Ruiz, Rio Hondo College Athletics)