PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – In recognition of their superb efforts in the classroom, senior Lesly Sanchez Alvarez (Stamford, CT/Stamford) and freshman Aniek Kroezen (Leidschendam, Netherlands/Gymnasium Novum) have been named 2017 Zag Field Hockey/NFHCA Scholars of Distinction.

The annual Scholars of Distinction program recognizes student-athletes who have earned a cumulative grade-point average of 3.9 or higher through the first semester of the 2017-18 school year. Kroezen, who finished with a perfect 4.0 GPA this past fall, and Sanchez Alvarez, who owns a 3.93 grade-point average, are two of just 66 student-athletes in all of NCAA Division II honored with this achievement.

On Tuesday, the Blue and Gold were announced as one of 27 programs to earn the Zag Field Hockey/NFHCA Division II National Academic Team Award. It is the third-straight year that Pace has picked up the accolade.

Outside of the classroom, both Kroezen and Sanchez Alvarez helped the Setters to a monumental 2017 campaign. Pace put together the best season in program history, finishing the year with a 15-4 record and a No. 10 national ranking. Sanchez Alvarez was named the NE10 Goalkeeper of the Year and a second-team All-American by Synapse Sports and the NFHCA.

For all information regarding Pace University field hockey, log on to www.PaceUAthletics.com, like the official Facebook page, Pace Field Hockey, and follow on Twitter (@PaceFieldHockey).