BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University men’s soccer program was recognized today by the United Soccer Coaches (formerly the NSCAA) as one of 341 teams across all three Divisions to earn the Team Academic Award for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Bridgewater State was the only men’s soccer team in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) to earn such recognition.

In order to garner the Team Academic Award, a squad must post a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher for the academic year. Under head coach Brendan Adams, the Bears posted a 3.20 GPA as a unit last year. 2019-2020 marks the fifth time in the last six years under Coach Adams that Bridgewater State has collected the award from the national coaches’ organization.

Individually, Bridgewater State saw 13 team members earn MASCAC Fall/Winter All-Academic honors in 2019-2020, including returning players Peter Bronke (South Deerfield, Mass.), Shane Ebanks (Upton, Mass.), Patrick Gildea (Bridgewater, Mass.), Will Halben (Attleboro, Mass.), David Nelson (East Bridgewater, Mass.), Brandon Oyarvide (Salem, Mass.), Dan Rickson (West Warren, R.I.), Kevin Roberts (Medway, Mass.) and William Russell (Sandwich, Mass.).