MARION, Ind. -- The National Soccer Coaches Association of America has released its Team Academic Awards.

The Indiana Wesleyan University women's soccer team tied Goshen (Ind.) College for the highest team GPA in the NAIA with a 3.50. Teams need at least a 3.00 GPA to be eligible for the award.

"One of the three key ingredients for our players is academics," said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Dr. John Bratcher. "Academics, play on the field and character is what this team strives for each year."

The women's soccer team has received the academic accolades for nine of the past 10 years.

Bratcher said, "I am very proud of the work that the girls do in the classroom as they balance soccer and academics."

Indiana Wesleyan completed the 2008 season with a 14-3-1 record with a trip to the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round.