WALTHAM, Mass. – Senior forward Gina Lirange (Auburn/Auburn HS) topped a list of ten Bentley University players who were named to the 2014 Gladiator by SGA/NFHCA Division II National Academic Squad by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

Lirange received the honor for the fourth consecutive year while five of her teammates were recognized for the third time. They are juniors Kelsey Howard (Scarborough, Maine/Scarborough HS), Sally James (Mequon, Wisc./Univ. School of Milwaukee), Katie Kelley (Walpole/Walpole HS), Becca Moore (Belmont/Belmont HS) and Meghan Talerman (Centerville/Barnstable HS).

Sophomore Tori Castro (Winchester/Winchester H) received the honor for the second time and the first-team honorees were junior Leah Winer (Longmeadow/Longmeadow HS) and freshmen Latie Quilty (Marstons Mills/Barnstable HS) and Rebecca Schroder (South Windsor, Conn./South Windsor HS).

The National Academic Squad recognizes those student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 or higher through the first semester of the 2014-15 academic year.

Bentley also received a Gladiator by SGI/NFHCA Division II National Academic Team Award with the Falcons' combined 3.47 GPA the fourth best in the nation.

All eight upperclassmen were regulars in coach Jessica Spencer's starting lineup, including the top five scorers. Lirange led the team with 10 goals and six assists, Moore followed with 5-6-16, and Talerman put up 7-1-15. Winer and James both had ten points, Kelley was Bentley's number one goalie, Howard played in the midfield and Castro was a back for the Falcons. Schroder appeared in 11 contests during her rookie season and Schroder saw action in four.

Bentley finished the season with a 10-9 record, including 8-2 at home.