GILBERT, Ariz. - The Simmons University field hockey team posted a 3.55 fall semester grade point average to earn the 2018 ZAG Field Hockey/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Collegiate National Academic Team Award it was announced by the NFHCA. The honor marks the 18th 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 2018-19 academic year. Simmons landed just outside of this year's top five schools with the highest grade point average. Swarthmore College posted the highest team GPA with a mark of 3.76 while Williams College and Amherst College were next with respective team GPA's of 3.69 and 3.65. Haverford College ranked fourth with a mark of 3.64, followed by Springfield College at 3.63.

The Sharks were one of 131 teams in Division III to be recognized and boasted 14 student-athletes with a 3.5 GPA or higher, including one student-athlete with a perfect 4.0 for the fall semester.

The Sharks finished the season with a 7-12 record, including 4-3 in conference play and earned the number four seed in the GNAC Championship Tournament, before bowing out in the semifinals.