Salve Regina earns national academic award

NEWPORT, R.I. - The Salve Regina University field hockey team has been announced as a recipient of the 2014 Gladiator by SGI/Division III National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Academic Team Award, while 13 Seahawk players were named to the 2014 NFHCA Academic Squad, including senior Brianna Cain (Saunderstown, R.I.), junior Mary Cain (Montpelier, Vt.), junior Alexisse Clinger (Nantucket, Mass.), senior Erin Demers (Concord, N.H.), junior Marissa Gagnon (Smithfield, R.I.), junior Allison Gold (Greenlawn, N.Y.), junior Julia Grover (Cotuit, Mass.), senior Erin Massey (Mendon, Mass.), freshman Alyssa Perkalis (Long Valley, N.J.), freshman Jessie Severino (Branford, Conn.), junior Abigail Tepper (Foxboro, Mass.), sophomore Sarah Thompson (Clinton, Conn.), and freshman Lindsey Venuto (Foxboro, Mass.). This marks the eighth consecutive year that the Salve Regina field hockey team has earned this honor.

"Our players, who study a variety of majors, do a wonderful job of balancing their academic and athletic commitments," said Salve Regina head coach Jennifer Foster. "This award is very important to us because it is an accomplishment achieved by the entire team which we can all take pride in and continue to build on in the future."

"The 13 student-athletes named to the National Academic Squad should be applauded for their dedication and success in the classroom. They embody what we want our student-athletes to be and have set the bar high for their teammates."

In order to be eligible for the individual honors, student-athletes are required to achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 or higher through the first semester of the 2014-15 academic year.

Demers earns the distinction all four years.

To be recognized for the academic team award, field hockey clubs must compile a combined GPA of at least 3.00 or better during the first semester of the 2014-15 academic year.

The Seahawks were among 120 Division III schools to receive the honor, joining five schools representing the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC). The 13 Salve Regina players were among 56 in the league, tied with Endicott for the most from any school.