Chandler, AZ --- For the fifth-consecutive season, the Worcester State field hockey team has been lauded by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) for their work in the classroom.

With a fall grade point average of 3.29, the Lancers were one of 121 Division III institutions who sponsor field hockey to be distinguished for having a GPA over a 3.0. MIT led Division III with a stellar GPA of 3.56. 

There were also 34 schools from the New England region that were honored as six were public institutions joined the Blue and Gold. They included Bridgewater State, Southern Maine, and Westfield State join Worcester State.

11 of the Squads 19 members were also on the NFHCA SGI/All-Academic Squad for earning a GPA of 3.30 or above during the 2012-13 fall semester.

They included seniors Ally Valencia (Foxboro, MA), Nicole Harvey (Attleboro, MA), Torey Kuchachik (Ashland, MA), and Rebecca Mullen (Peabody, MA), juniors Katherine Bitters (Greenfield, MA), and Amanda Turnbull (Rochadale, MA) and freshman classmates Molly Downing (Dedham, MA), Krissy Kenney (Rehoboth, MA), Megan Ripke (Agawam, MA), Ashlee Ataya (Danvers, MA), and Julie O'Rourke (Worcester, MA).

Ripke and Mullen were also recognized as Gladiator/SGI/NFHCA Division III Scholars of Distinction for achieving a 3.90 or better grade point average. This is the first season that the NFHCA has extolled accomplishments of this nature.

Harvey, Kuchachik and Mullen have been tabbed in each of their four years of play, while Turnbull along with Bitters were also honored last season. 

The Blue and Gold were second among LEC institutions to achieve NFHCA laurels as 31 in total were recognized.

The Lancers under the direction of first-year head coach Chris Pothier finished the season with an overall record of 3-15 and a 1-10 mark in LEC play.

2012 Gladiator by SGI / NFHCA Division III National Academic Team Award

2012 Gladiator by SGI / NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad