GILBERT, Ariz. - The Simmons University field hockey team posted a 3.61 fall semester grade point average to earn the 2010 ZAG Field Hockey/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Collegiate National Academic Team Award it was announced today by the NFHCA. The honor marks the 19th 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 2019-20 academic year. Simmons landed just outside of this year's top five schools with the highest grade point average. Massachusetts Institute of Technology posted the highest team GPA with a mark of 3.84 while Williams Paterson University recorded a GPA of 3.75. Middlebury College checked in with a 3.71 GPA, followed by Wells College (3.69) and Alvernia University (3.66).

The Sharks were one of 147 teams in Division III to be recognized and boasted 15 student-athletes with a 3.5 GPA or higher, including an impressive five student-athletes with a perfect 4.0 for the fall semester.

Simmons finished the season with an 8-12 record, including 4-4 in GNAC play. The Sharks earned the number three seed in the GNAC Championship Tournament, before their season came to an end in the Semifinals.