MVC ALL-SCHOLAR ATHLETE TEAM

ST. LOUIS – Eastern Illinois junior defender Mike Picinich will be the final men's soccer player to earn a Missouri Valley Conference award as he was named to the honorable mention All-Scholar Athlete team announced on Friday afternoon.

Picinich holds a 3.69 GPA in accounting having played in all 17 matches for the Panthers who concluded their final season as a MVC member. Next year EIU will play as an affiliate member of The Summit League in men's soccer.

Picinich registered four shots on the season including one shot on goal as he played more of a defensive role this season than in years past. A native of Elburn, Ill. (St. Charles North HS), Picinich has now appeared in 52 matches in his career with two career goals and one career assist.