Kim Canfield, a standout member of the women’s soccer team at Arcadia University, is the 2013 Philadelphia Inquirer Academic Performer of the Year. A junior forward/midfielder from Hillsborough, N.J., Canfield is a biology/pre-physician assistant major with a 3.77 cumulative grade point average.

Canfield is one of 11 area student-athletes named to the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Team as voted by the sports information directors at the 28 NCAA Division I, II, and III colleges and universities in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

She is the second Arcadia student-athlete to be named Academic Performer of the Year, the first being men’s tennis player Timothy Fitzgerald in 2008. She also is the first women’s soccer player at Arcadia to be named to the Academic All-Area Team.

“It’s a great honor, especially considering it’s Divisions I, II and III,” said Canfield, who described her coursework as “rigorous, especially being in the honors program. I love science and love learning about biology.”

Rick Brownell, head women’s soccer coach, praised Canfield for her work both on the field and in the classroom.

“Kim has been a standout academic athlete at Arcadia,” said Brownell. “She’s been one of the top academic athletes in our program in my 11 years. I’m so proud of her.”

Canfield appeared in 23 games for the Knights this season, starting 20. Her 42 points (15 goals, 12 assists) led the team in scoring and ranked second in the conference; her 12 assists were the most in the Commonwealth Conference. Canfield was named a First-Team All-Commonwealth Conference selection for the second consecutive season and was named a Second-Team All-Mid-Atlantic Region selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

“Kim’s ability to excel in such a challenging academic curriculum and on the soccer field is truly remarkable,” said Director of Athletics Brian Granata. “We are incredibly proud of all her accomplishments. She is certainly deserving of this award and is a fine representation of the type of student-athlete at Arcadia.”

Dr. Megan Wright, assistant professor of biology and Canfield’s academic advisor, added, “Kim has repeatedly demonstrated the most impressive qualities of being a student-athlete. Her outstanding GPA shows that she has the dedication and fortitude to perform exceptionally well in a rigorous program. Being able to balance the heavy course load required for admittance into Physician Assistant master’s program and the time required for her soccer commitments is no easy feat, though Kim has done this with impressive maturity and always a smile.”

Dr. Steve O. Michael, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, noted that the University has a long tradition of excellence among its student-athletes.

“Performing at the highest level in the classroom and on the athletic field requires extraordinary discipline and commitment,” said Dr. Michael. “The University is very proud of Kim for all of her achievements.”

Canfield led Arcadia to a 13-4-6 record in 2013, helping the Knights capture the 2013 ECAC South title for the first time in program history. She is one of three NCAA Division III student-athletes named to the 11-member Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Team, which had a total of six Capital One Academic All-District ® Team selections, four of which were from NCAA Division I institutions.