The Tiger women's soccer program had much to celebrate on the field and in the classroom in 2007.

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Wittenberg University women's soccer team has reached unprecedented levels of success the last two years on the field. Echoing the NCAA Division III model of student–athlete, the dedication and intensity it took for the team to win back-to-back North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championships can also be seen in the classroom.

The Tigers posted a 3.15 team grade point average (GPA) to earn a 2007 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award. The award honors women's soccer teams that display excellence in the classroom by maintaining at least a 3.0 cumulative team GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Considering the program's first two trips to NCAA Division III Tournament (2006 and 2007) produced wins – including the 2007 team's historic run to the Round of 16 – it is hardly surprising that the Tigers were also ranked among the best academic teams in the nation the last two years.

"Balance is the key to our success," said Head Coach Norm Riker, who is the winningest coach in program history with a 72-37-13 record in six years at Wittenberg. "We approach academics as our work day: Go to class and get your school work done during the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. academic day and the reward is the afternoon game of soccer."

Riker has gone to great lengths to ensure success both on the field and off.

"In season we prepare for each weekend's game with a study hall on either Friday night or Saturday morning," Riker said. "We study for 90 minutes to earn the privilege of wearing the ‘W' and playing for 90 minutes.

"A team that studies together wins together. There is an incredible amount of positive energy for each player when they see a teammate in the science center or in the library. The message is clear – as they know they play for a team where everyone cares about success both in the classroom and on the field."

Wittenberg put together the best season in school history in 2007, finishing 18-3-3 overall and 6-0-2 in the NCAC and capturing both the regular season and tournament conference crowns. The Tigers advanced to their second straight NCAA Division III Tournament and reached the Round of 16 before a 1-0 loss to Ithaca on Nov. 17.

Photo By: Brad Tucker

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