CAMBRIDGE, MA -- Lesley University is one of 129 programs nationally to have both its women's and men's soccer teams recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America with the NSCAA Team Academic Awards based on the teams' grade point averages for the 2009-10 school year.

"We take great pride in excelling both on the field and in the classroom," said men's and women's head coach Paul Vasconcelos. "It certainly helps us in recruiting and retaining quality student athletes."

Vasconcelos' women's team earned a 3.17 grade point average for the school year, while his men's team earned a 3.03. Teams are required to earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher for the award, which 634 soccer teams (195 men, 439 women) earned.

"We believe this is what makes being a student-athlete at Lesley special," he said.

Only 129 institutions nationwide saw their men's and women's teams earn the award, with only a handful from the Greater Boston Area earning the distinction. Lesley is the only team from the New England Collegiate Conference to earn the award.

"There are many good soccer programs throughout the country, but few can boast the record we had and say that they are an NSCAA All-Academic Team."

Vasconcelos' men's team went 15-3-1 in 2010 and his women's team went 11-6-3, both finishing in first place in the NECC.