FARMVILLE, Va. - The Longwood University field hockey team has earned the 2013 Gladiator by SGI/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division I National Academic Team Award, as announced today. This award is given to those squads with a team GPA of 3.0 or higher. In addition to the team honor, four student-athletes were also recognized individually for achieving a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.30 or higher through the first semester of the 2013-14 academic year. Senior Caitlin Smith/Hampton, sophomores Nicole Deckard/Selinsgrove, Pa. and Meg Mitchell/Allentown, Pa., and freshman Jordan Chapman/Williamsburg each earned the prestigious distinction.

"The team recognition is a sign of all the hard work that everyone in this program has put into their academics over the last few years," said head coach Iain Byers. "We are proud of the squad as a coaching staff and look forward to continuing to see this improvement.

"Individually, each one of these players fully deserves this honor," Byers added. "Balancing academics and athletics can be very challenging and to see so many be successful is a great indicator of the quality of student-athletes we have here at Longwood."

Smith, a kinesiology major, is a four-time NFHCA National Academic Squad honoree. She started all 22 games for the Lancers in 2013 as the backbone of the squad's defensive line. She has attained a 3.62 GPA and was also recognized for her academic success as a member of the Northern Pacific Field Hockey Conference All-Academic Team.

Deckard appeared in all 22 games with eight starts. She finished third on the team with six goals and 13 total points, while adding one assist. A biology major, Deckard owns a 3.66 GPA.

Chapman started 13 of 22 games played with one goal for two points. She added a pair of defensive saves, as well. The rookie, who is majoring in communication sciences and disorders, has a 3.70 cumulative GPA so far.

Mitchell is majoring in nursing and has achieved a 3.83 cumulative GPA. She did not see action during 2013.