Springfield, Ohio – The Wittenberg University women’s soccer team has once again been recognized for its outstanding collective work in the classroom with a 2013 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award.

The Tigers posted a 3.01 team grade point average (GPA) during the 2012-13 school year to earn the award for a eighth time in the last nine years. The NSCAA program honors men’s and women’s soccer teams that display excellence in the classroom by maintaining at least a 3.0 cumulative team GPA on a 4.0 scale. 

Excellence on the field and in the classroom often go hand in hand, so it’s hardly surprising that the Tigers, who have captured at least a share of the last two North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) regular season titles and has won at least eight games in every season since 2003, feature scholar-athletes who also achieve by hitting the books. 

“I am very proud to lead a program that includes so many talented student-athletes who do such an outstanding job balancing the demands of college athletics,” said Matt Fannon, who led Wittenberg to a 9-7-5 overall record in his first season as the Tigers’ head coach. “These young women are impressive as students and as athletes, and I am confident the work they are doing in both areas will benefit them for years to come."

Fannon took over a relatively young team in May 2013 and guided the Tigers to a three-way tie atop the NCAC standings at 5-1-2. Wittenberg advanced in the NCAC Tournament with a shootout victory against Denison before losing to host Allegheny 2-0 in the championship match.

Written By: Ryan Maurer