Excellence in the classroom has landed the Hope College women's soccer team national recognition. The Flying Dutch earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America College Team Academic Award for the 2014-15 school year.

It is the ninth time Hope has been honored by the NSCAA and the sixth year in a row.

The NSCAA annually recognizes college and high school soccer programs that have excelled in the classroom, in addition to their work on the field.

A total of 554 women's soccer teams posted a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher, thereby earning the 2014-15 NSCAA College Team Academic Award.

Coach Leigh Sears' Flying Dutch recorded a 3.70 GPA last school year, a mark that was the highest among any of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association in the Team GPA Award winners.

On the field, Hope posted a 17-4-2 record during the 2014 season for the second-most wins in team history. The Flying Dutch advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament while claiming MIAA regular-season and tournament titles.

This season, Hope is off to a 9-0 start that is the best start in school history. The Flying Dutch are 6-0 in MIAA play and return to action on Saturday, Sept. 26 against Saint Mary's at noon at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.