River Hawks Recognized for Academic Success by NFHCA

LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell field hockey team was honored for success in the classroom by the National Field Hockey Coaches' Association, as announced by the organization on Thursday.

"We are proud of our team's commitment to excellence in all areas, especially to academics," said Head Coach Shannon Hlebichuk.

As a squad, the River Hawks received the 2017 ZAG Field Hockey/NFHCA Division I National Academic Team Award. The National Academic Team Award recognizes teams that achieved a minimum combined GPA of 3.0 during the first semester of the 2017-18 academic year. UMass Lowell was one of 74 teams across the country to be honored, as well as one of the eight America East field hockey affiliates to receive the title. This marks the sixth consecutive year that UMass Lowell has earned this academic recognition from the NFHCA.

Individually, 13 River Hawks were named to the 2017 ZAG/NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad. Seniors Kelsey Federico (Windham, N.H.) and Fiona Fitzgerald (Lexington, Mass.) were recognized for the fourth the consecutive year. Classmate Christa Doiron (Worcester, Mass.), along with juniors Torrie Huk (Milford, Del.), Alex Loblundo (Acton, Mass.) and Allyssa Moser (Merztown, Pa.), sophomores Eva Berkhout (Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands), Tori Hannah (Plainsboro, N.J.), Alex Mondini (Cottekill, N.Y.), and freshmen Clara Defourt (Brussels, Belgium), Sophie Gehrels (Zeist, Utrecht, Netherlands), Anouk Lalande (Brussels, Belgium) and Kathleen Lynes (Oakville, Ontario) were also recognized.

Additionally, Federico was also honored as one of 139 NFHCA Scholars of Distinction this year.

"To have our team recognized, 13 individuals and a Scholar of Distinction is nothing short of amazing," added Hlebichuk. "These women continue to represent us at the highest level in the classroom."

The National Academic Squad includes all student-athletes with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 or greater through the first semester of the 2017-18 academic year. In total, over 960 student-athletes from 79 Division I institutions received the honor. The Scholar of Distinction recognition is reserved for those who achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.90 or greater as of the fall semester.