Men's Soccer earns NSCAA College Team Academic Award

Chris Corrado

By Steven Wright

ADA - The Ohio Northern men's soccer team has earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America College Team Academic Award under the direction of 11th-year head coach Brent Ridenour.

The Polar Bears had a team grade point average of 3.08, surpassing the 3.0 GPA that is needed to be recognized.

Ohio Northern was one of 104 men's soccer teams from all divisions of the NCAA to receive the award.

"It's a great honor for us to receive this award," said Ridenour. "it is a testament to the hard work and dedication that our players put in on the soccer field and in the classroom." 

In addition to having success in the classroom, the Polar Bears just completed their best season in school history.

The men's soccer team won a school record 20 games and advanced to the NCAA Elite 8, farther than any other team in ONU history.

Before falling to Loras (Iowa), Ohio Northern had won seven consecutive games, including a 2-1 victory over No. 4-ranked and previously unbeaten Hobart (N.Y.) in the Sweet 16.

The Polar Bears also won the Ohio Athletic Conference Championship for the second time in three seasons.