SELINSGROVE, PA -- For the fourth straight year, the Susquehanna University men's and women's soccer teams have been honored with the National Soccer Coaches of America Team Academic Award.

The honor is presented annually to squads that post a team grade-point average of 3.0 or higher the previous academic year. Susquehanna is one of only 72 schools nationwide to have both teams earn this honor. A total of 407 soccer teams (112 men, 295 women) earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the 2006-07 academic year.

The Crusader men's team, coached by Jim Findlay, had a GPA of 3.18 while the women's team, coached by Kathy Kroupa, recorded a 3.20. The men's team is the only member of the Landmark Conference to be so honored, and the women's team is one of three Landmark members recognized.

"This is an exceptional accomplishment for our soccer teams," said Pam Samuelson, Director of Athletics. "To have one team honored is an accomplishment, but to have both recognized for four years in a row is a testament to the dedication Coaches Findlay and Kroupa and their teams show, both in the classroom and on the field. They embody what Division III athletics are all about."

On the field this year, the men's soccer team finished 9-7-2 overall and 4-2-1 in the Landmark Conference, with five players garnishing all-conference honors, one of whom was also named Rookie of the Year. The Crusaders qualified for the inaugural Landmark Conference postseason tournament, losing a first-round heartbreaker in double overtime.

The women's team wrapped up the 2007 campaign with a 6-10-1 overall record and a 1-4-1 record in the Landmark Conference. Although the team was comprised of only a handful of seniors, three Crusaders were honored this year with All-Conference accolades.