CHANDLER, Ariz. - The Simmons College field hockey team posted a 3.63 fall semester grade point average to earn the 2016 ZAG Field Hockey/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Collegiate National Academic Team Award it was announced today by the NFHCA. The honor marks the 16th straight year that the Sharks have earned the honor.

The Sharks team GPA was tied for the fifth-highest in the nation among NCAA Division III programs.

The National Academic Team Award recognizes those institutions that achieved a minimum team grade point average of 3.0 during the first semester of the 2016-17 academic year.

Simmons Field Hockey was one of 124 teams in Division III to be recognized and boasted 19 student-athletes with a 3.5 GPA or higher, including five with a perfect 4.0 for the fall semester.

The Sharks finished the season with an 11-8 overall record, including 5-1 in league play to earn the number two seed in the GNAC Championship Tournament. Simmons ended its season with a 1-0 loss at Saint Joseph's College (Maine) its third straight appearance in the GNAC Championship match on November 5.