The student-athletes of the Chico State women's soccer team cannot always control how the ball bounces. But they can control how often they hit the books.
 
The Wildcats got some great news in the midst of a rough stretch Thursday with the release of the 2015 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Awards. For the third straight season and fifth in the last seven, the Wildcats made the list of teams with a combined team grade point average of 3.0 or better.
 
In fact, Chico State's team GPA of 3.32 is the second highest among the 26 men's and women's soccer teams in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The Wildcats also earned the distinction for the 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
 
Their senior trio of Lindsey Dias, Katie Brown and Emily Shleppey helped set the tone. All three have cumulative GPAs of 3.7 or better.
 
The Wildcats are hoping to get some more good news this weekend in the form of some good results. They host Cal State L.A. Friday at 7 p.m. and Cal State Dominguez Hills Sunday at 2 p.m.
 
Fans who can't make it out to University Soccer Stadium can follow the action via streaming video and livestats. Links to both are available in the calendar section of the athletics department homepage (www.chicowildcats.com) and on the women's soccer schedule page.