DEAN COLLEGE WOMEN’S SOCCER POST FIRST WINNING RECORD SINCE 1998 AND FIVE PLAYERS MAKE NJCAA ALL REGION XXI
Dean College women’s soccer team made an incredible leap in 2012, as the team officially ended their season with 9 wins, 5 losses, and 1 tie, posting the first winning record for the program since 1998.
Five players were name NJCAA All-Region XXI. They included sophomore goalkeeper, Jessica Gelbman (Nyack, NY), sophomore central back, Danica Sommer (Rutherford, NJ), first year central midfielder, Lauren Valdario (Winchester, MA), first year central midfielder, Morgan Mencio (Avon, CT), and first year forward, Samantha O’Keefe (Worcester, MA).
Overall season awards were handed out at the Team Banquet this past week with many different players receiving accolades. Haley Pelletier (Holland, MA) was named Most Improved Player, Julie Volk (Framingham, MA) received the Biggest Heart Award, Lauren Valdario and Morgan Mencio earned Rookie of the Year, Samantha O’Keefe was named Offensive MVP and Danica Sommer was named the Defensive MVP. Rounding out the awards for the evening, Morgan Mencio earned the overall Team MVP and Julie Volk received the Coach’s Award.
Many stellar individual performances contributed to the successful season, and four players were ranked within the top 50 in the country in NJCAA Division I. Sophomore Jessica Gelbman was ranked 6th in saves (147 saves) and 40th in save percentage (.821 percent). Freshman Morgan Mencio led the team in points with 42 (13 goals and 16 assists). She was ranked 9th with assists and 35th in points. Freshman Samantha O’Keefe had 15 goals and 7 assists on the season for 37 points, giving her a ranking of 49th with points and 47th in goals. Freshman Lauren Valdario was ranked 38th with assists, and had 12 goals and 10 assists on the season for 34 points.
As a result of this year’s success, Head Coach Laura Ray was named Region 21 Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year. This award is voted on by all NJCAA Division I and III Programs in Region 21. Dean College not only posted the first winning record since 1998, but tripled their wins from last season, as well as improved their overall goals for and goals against average.
