By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's soccer team has received the Team Academic Award from the United Soccer Coaches for the 2017-18 academic year. It is the fourth time in the past seven years that Willamette has qualified for the award. The Bearcats also earned the honor in 2010-11, 2012-13, and 2014-15.

A total of 509 women's soccer teams earned the award at all levels of collegiate play. The Team Academic Award requires a combined team grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for all players who were on the team during the fall season. Willamette qualified for the award with a 3.56 team GPA.

In addition to achieving success in the classroom, the Bearcats earned a 13-4-3 overall record in 20167 and went 10-4-2 (32 points, 4th place) in the Northwest Conference.