MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – March 5, 2012 – For the fifth-straight year, the Robert Morris field hockey program has been honored with Gladiator by SGI / National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I National Academic Team Award while 12 members of the Colonials squad were honored on the NFHCA's Division I National Academic Squad.

The 2011 season marked the third year in a row that Robert Morris has posted a team GPA of 3.0 or higher with Robert Morris ranking among the top five programs nationally in 2010 and 2009.

Meanwhile, over half of the Colonial roster was honored as members of the Division I National Academic Squad including Julie Gabriel (Kraainem, Belgium / Lycee Emil Jacqmain), Ally McGuire (Duncannon, Pa. / Susquenita) and Anna Miller (Louisville, Ky. / Ballard), who were each honored as four-year award recipients.

Charlsie Branovan (Wexford, Pa. / Pine-Richland), Jamie Hartley (Tamworth, Australia / University of Newcastle), Eloise Irwin (Dublin, Ohio / Dublin), Michelle Lewthwaite (Macarthur, Australia / Westfield Sports), Erin McKenzie (Lismore, Australia / University of Queensland Tech), Erica Musson (Columbus, Ohio / Liberty), Mallory Periard (Irwin, Pa. / Norwin), Taleah Scott (Crookwell, Australia / Crookwell) and Jennifer Tobar (Bradenton, Fla. / Lakewood Ranch) also were named to the academic squad. In order to be eligible for the honor, a player must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher through the first semester of the 2011-12 academic year.

Robert Morris is coming off a record-setting year in 2011 with the Colonials earning a program-best eight wins last season. RMU also posted its first-ever win over a nationally ranked team in 2010, topping No. 15 1-0 in overtime at Joe Walton Stadium on Sept. 16.

-RMU-