FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
NSCAA Release

Dec. 7, 2009 -- The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) announced its Team Academic Award winners, with the North Central College women's soccer team being recognized for its outstanding performance in the classroom during the 2009 season.

To qualify for the NSCAA Team Academic Award, teams must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and their institutions must be current NSCAA College Services members. The Cardinals boasted a 3.37 GPA during the 2008-09 academic year and were one of just three College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin schools to make the cut. North Central's 3.37 GPA was the highest among CCIW institutions, North Park University tallied a 3.21 GPA while Augustana College recorded a team GPA of 3.09.

It was a record setting season for the Cardinals in 2009 (10-7, 2-5), setting school records for most goals in a season (52) and wins (10). Laura Petersen shattered the longstanding single-season scoring record after registering 15 goals on the year while goalkeeper Elise Manzie closed out her career as the College's all-time shutout leader with 14.