Lincoln Memorial's Taylor Named 2021 SAC Women's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Lincoln Memorial University's Rachel Taylor was voted the 2021 South Atlantic Conference Women's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the Conference office announced today. 

The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the Conference's championship sports and is voted on by the SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee. The winners are selected based on their achievements in academics, athletics, service and leadership. 

Taylor, a junior nursing student-athlete for the Railsplitters, has been named to the Lincoln Memorial Athletic Director Academic Squad three times, is a three-time SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll selection, a two-time Lincoln Memorial Dean's List honoree, and an NCAA Division II ADA Academic Achievement Award recipient. 

"Rachel is the epitome of the college student-athlete," said LMU head women's soccer coach Matthew Carr. "She demands excellence of herself every day in the classroom as well as on the field. She has developed tremendously this past year while reaching many milestones in all areas of her life. We are extremely excited for Rachel to receive this prestigious award."

On the field, Taylor was a 2020-21 first team All-SAC selection as a forward. She scored five goals in seven matches with two assists for 12 points during the 2021 spring season. She tallied her third career multi-goal match during the spring, scoring two goals versus Carson-Newman on March 30. She finished the season tied for third in the conference in goals, third in points, and second in shots (38). 

A native of Clarksville, Tenn., Taylor is extremely involved off the field in the local community. She has been a coach and mentor at the Railsplitter youth soccer clinics, while also participating in the local community clean-up efforts at Harrogate City Park, Tazewell Municipal Park, and Pine Hill Hollow Riverfront.

Women's Soccer Scholar-Athlete Finalists

Aleisha Cruwys, Lenoir-Rhyne

Annie Kate Hodge, Anderson

Jada Palmer, Queens

Jess LaFrancis, Wingate

Katlyn Jones, Tusculum

Kiana Tuckett, Mars Hill

- #MakeSACYours -