GORHAM, Maine   - Sophomore Connor LeClerc (Windham, Maine) and junior Nick Mauro (Cape Neddick, Maine) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies' men's soccer team have each earned College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors.
 
Both LeClerc and Mauro are earning the honor after distinguishing themselves athletically and academically at the University of Southern Maine. To be eligible for the accolade, student-athletes must be a starter or an important reserve with at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), must have participated in at least 90 percent of the team's games (or start in 66 percent of the team's games), must be at least a sophomore academically. Graduate students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher as both an undergrad and graduate student-athlete. Student-athletes are nominated for the honor by their institution's Athletic Communications professionals.
 
A Health Sciences major, LeClerc has been a key component of the Huskies' formidable defense in his first two seasons in Gorham.  Playing and starting in 14 games in 2025, LeClerc tenaciously defended in 12 full-90 shifts, and earned Little East Conference Defensive Player of the Week once during the 2025 season.  Scoring his first career goal, a game-winner, in a 5-0 win over UMaine Presque Isle, LeClerc put five shots towards goal this season, using his aerial strength on set pieces. In two seasons, LeClerc has played in 31 career games with 29 starts, logging 2326 minutes.
 
A transfer from American International College, Mauro is a part of the Huskies' midfield unit. Working his way into 19 games in 2025, Mauro had 11 starts, recording a goal and two assists for four points.  Mauro recorded his first point as a Husky in a 5-0 win over UMaine Presque Isle, and scored his first collegiate goal in a 7-1 win at Little East Conference opponent Plymouth State, helping secure a Southern Maine playoff berth. A Business Marketing major, Mauro has been actively involved with marketing internships and job shadow programs through the University's Career & Internship Exploration Program, and completed a summer marketing internship with Bristol Seafood Company.
 
Designated Academic All-District student-athlete honorees are eligible for selection to the Academic All-America program. College Sports Communicators began the distinguished Academic All-America® program in 1952, and since then, has honored more than 38,000 deserving student-athletes from numerous sports across all divisions with these elite Academic All-America® scholar-athlete honors.  Currently, CSC sponsors Academic All-America® programs for men's soccer, women's soccer, football, volleyball, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's swimming & diving, women's swimming & diving, men's tennis, women's tennis, baseball, softball and men's and women's track and field/cross country. Many other sports are eligible through the At-Large program, including USM sponsored sports field hockey, golf, ice hockey, and wrestling).
 
Finishing the 2025 season with a record of 5-4-10 overall, and 3-1-4 in the Little East,  Southern Maine hosted its first playoff game in 17 seasons by earning the no. 3 seed, and made just its fifth overall appearance in the LEC playoffs.  The Huskies have qualified for the Little East tourney twice in head coach Jim Hopkins '01 three-season tenure. The Huskies' 10 draws during the season established a new program record.
 
 
 
           
 
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