WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Three members of the West Liberty University women's soccer program have been recognized for their excellence both on the field and in the classroom, earning 2025 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors.
The national award celebrates the top student-athletes across the country who combine strong athletic performance with outstanding academic achievement. This year's Hilltopper honorees—Maya Taggart, Emma Lieu, and Abigail Barki—embody that standard.
Wheeling, W.Va. | Wheeling Park | Senior
Major: Pre-Professional Speech | Cumulative GPA: 3.83**
A standout leader for the Black and Gold, Taggart earns the honor for the third consecutive year, becoming one of the program's most decorated academic performers. The senior forward has excelled on the pitch throughout her career, and her consistency in the classroom—carrying a 3.83 GPA in Pre-Professional Speech—reinforces her role as a model student-athlete.
Wheeling, W.Va. | Wheeling Park | Senior
Major: Biology (Pre-Med) | Cumulative GPA: 3.83**
A key presence in the midfield and a leader within the program, Barki earns Academic All-District honors for the second year in a row. The senior carries an exceptional 3.83 GPA as a Biology Pre-Med major, balancing one of the university's most rigorous academic tracks with high-level athletic performance.
**Emma Lieu — Defender/Midfielder
Pittsburgh, Pa. | Baldwin | Sophomore
Major: Human Biology | Cumulative GPA: 3.51**
In just her second season with the Hilltoppers, Lieu earns her first CSC Academic All-District selection. The versatile defender/midfielder made an immediate impact on the field this fall and has balanced that with strong academic work in Human Biology. Her 3.51 GPA reflects a strong commitment to both her degree path and her development as a collegiate athlete.
