The Canisius College women's soccer team was honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for the fifth consecutive year, as the team earned the 2012 NSCAA Team Academic Award for academic excellence.

"I am extremely proud of the girls efforts in the classroom," said head coach Jim Wendling. "It is the fifth straight year that our program has been honored with this award since I arrived. They understand what a great value getting a college education means at Canisius."

The Golden Griffins posted a team GPA of 3.10 for the 2011-12 academic year with the selection of 10 student-athletes to the MAAC All-Academic Team.

Among the 10 Griffs to receive league honors for academic excellence were seniors Brooke Bandazian (Early Childhood - 3.25 GPA) and Keily Funk (Business Economics - 3.80 GPA), juniors Deanna Bowers (Mathematics & Statistics - 3.54 GPA), Katie Griffin (Health and Wellness - 3.61 GPA), and Kelly McMahon (Physical Education/Health Education - 3.30 GPA), and sophomores Megan Mahoney (Health and Wellness - 3.71 GPA), Michayla Marchese (Health and Wellness - 3.34 GPA), Maria Nelms (Physical Education/Health Education - 3.76 GPA), Jenny Piaggione (Special Education - 3.44 GPA), and Brigid St. Leger (Sports Management - 3.54 GPA). 

To be eligible for the NSCAA All-Academic Team Award, a team must post a GPA higher than 3.0 for a full academic year.