GILBERT, Ariz. - The Simmons College field hockey team posted a 3.56 fall semester grade point average to earn the 2017 ZAG Field Hockey/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Collegiate National Academic Team Award it was announced today by the NFHCA. The honor marks the 17th straight year that the Sharks have earned the accolade.

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 2017-18 academic year. Simmons landed just outside of this year's top five schools with the highest grade point average. Springfield College posted the highest team GPA with a mark of 3.78 while Bowdoin College earned the second spot with a team GPA of 3.71. Swarthmore College followed at 3.69, ahead of Earlham College (3.65) and Amherst College (3.64).

The Sharks were one of 130 teams in Division III to be recognized and boasted 16 student-athletes with a 3.5 GPA or higher, including four with a perfect 4.0 for the fall semester.

Simmons finished the season with a 12-7 record, including 5-2 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play. The Sharks advanced to the GNAC Semifinals before bowing to conference champion Saint Joseph's College (Maine).