Slippery Rock University's women's field hockey team returned to the practice field this week in preparation for the 2016 season that begins at 5 p.m., Sept. 3 when SRU hosts American International College. Last year, the team claimed its fifth consecutive Team GPA award from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference as The Rock posted a league-best 3.504 grade point average. Helping the cause were 19 members of its roster that were named to the 2015 National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division II National Academic Squad.