The afterglow of the Chico State women’s soccer team Sweet 16 run in 2009-10 just keeps getting better. With a roster full of not only stellar athletes, but scholars as well, Head Coach Kim Sutton’s women recently received a pair of postseason honors.

First of all, the Wildcats received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Academic Team Award. The recipients of the award must have achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher as a team, which the women’s squad did.

The second honor, and the one most reflected on the field, is the Wildcats’ inclusion on the Somis Sports list of the 20 most improved women’s soccer teams in Division II. Sutton’s squad ranks No. 10 on the list. They finished the season 8-6-9 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championship Tournament for the first time in the history of the program.

California Collegiate Athletic Association foes Cal State L.A. (No. 6) and Cal State Monterey Bay (No. 9) also made the cut.

The two new honors are just a couple of many the ’Cats have received in the offseason. Ali Sward and Molly Downtain each received All-West Region accolades and the Jewish Sports Review named Natalie Bensky and Ashley Perlman All-Americans.

Women’s soccer will see several key players return in 2010, including Perlman, and midfielders Blake Lopes and Kelsey Ikemoto.