WALTHAM, Mass. – Four members of the Bentley University Falcons, the most from any one team, were among 17 student-athletes selected for the 2012 Academic All-Northeast-10 Conference field hockey team.

Earning the honor were seniors Nicole Dion (Lunenburg/Lunenburg HS), Beth Maguire (Medfield/Medfield HS) and Kelsey Mattson (Bristol, N.H./Newfound Regional HS), and sophomore Gina Lirange (Auburn/Auburn HS). Dion, Maguire and Mattson both received the honor for the second time.

Dion and Lirange were also recognized by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association as 2012 Gladiator by SGI Division II Scholars of Distinction for having a cumulative grade point average of 3.90 through the first semester. Dion majors in marketing and Lirange has a double-major, accounting and liberal studies.

Dion, a 2012 Capital One NCAA Division II Academic All-America second-team selection and a team captain, started and played 15 games as a senior, spending most of her time at midfield after shifting from the front line. She earned second-team All-Conference honors as a junior and was the 2009 NE-10 Freshman of the Year.

Lirange was second on the team in scoring with eight goals and three assists for 19 points. A member of the 2011 NE-10 All-Rookie team, she has three game-winners amongst her 11 career goals.

Maguire, a 2012 NFHCA Division II first-team All-America, led Bentley in scoring for the second time in three years, finishing her final season with 11 goals and five assists for 27 points. Her four game-winning goals was tied for the third most in the NE-10.

Mattson, a key member of the Falcon defense and a team captain, was a three-year starter who didn't miss a game over her final three seasons. Her contributions helped Bentley to a 1.79 goals against average and five shutouts.

Bentley finished with an 11-8 record and qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships.