Women's Soccer Places Five on All-NECC Teams

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ATTLEBORO, Mass. - The Elms College women's soccer team placed five players on the 2011 All-New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) teams announced by the league on Monday.

Blazers senior forward Jennifer Killion (Cambridge, Mass.), senior defender Brianna Valente (Springfield, Mass.) and sophomore midfielder Gianna Gorneault (Springfield, Mass.) were each named First Team All-NECC, while senior forward Erica Griffo (Syracuse, N.Y.) and sophomore midfielder Christina Goodchild (East Longmeadow, Mass.) were named to the all-conference second team.

Killion and Gorneault provided a powerfull 1-2 punch for the Blazers during the 2011 campaign. Gorneault registered a 13-goal, four assist total for the season, while Killion registered 12 goals and four assists. Gorneault scored nine of her goals against NECC competition while Killion registered six goals and an assist versus league opponents. Killion has notched 41 goals for her career and is four shy of setting the program's all-time record in the category.

Valente earned first team honors as the anchor of Elms' defense helping the squad post five regular season shutouts during conference play and seven for the season. She also helped the Blazers capture the NECC championship and the program's first-ever berth in the NCAA Division III Championship with two shutouts (3-0 over Regis College and 1-0 over Lesley University) during the league's postseason tournament.

Griffo was named Second Team All-NECC following a two-goal, one assist effort during the 2011 season, posting a goal in each of Elms' last two regular season contests against Bay Path College and Wheelock College. Goodchild added a goal and eight assists as the catalyst for Elms' offensive efforts. Seven of her eight helpers came against league competition and twice during the regular season, Goodchild delivered two assists. She also connected for two assists in the Blazers' NECC postseason semifinal contest against Mitchell College.

2011 NECC Women's Soccer All-Conference Teams
Player of the Year
Veronica Halen, Lesley
Goalkeeper of the Year
Kaylee Woodford, Mitchell
Rookie of the Year
Maariyah Lombardo, Mitchell
Coach of the Year
Paul Vascancelos, Lesley
Team Sportsmanship Award
Bay Path College

First Team
F Jenna Fralick, Lesley
F Veronica Halen, Lesley
F Jennifer Killion, Elms
F Briana Tomaselli, Newbury
M Gianna Gorneault, Elms
M Jackee Sanchez, Lesley
M Jodi Theriault, Becker
D Nina Giansanti, Mitchell
D Tracy Potter, Lesley
D Brianna Valente, Elms
GK Kaylee Woodford, Mitchell

Second Team
F Maariyah Lombardo, Mitchell
F Caroline Plunkett, Becker
F Erica Griffo, Elms
F Kristen Abreu, Regis
F Adena Josepoh, Regis
M Kate Ryder, Lesley
M Angie Smith, Mitchell
M Christina Goodchild, Elms
D Keri Richardson, Becker
D Alysha Giulietti, Becker
D Kristina Almeida, Newbury
GK Amy Waller, Daniel Webster

Honorable Mention
F Sarah Apgar, Lesley
D Joellen Demers, Southern Vt.
D Kara Donovan, Regis
GK Rachel Wyszynski, Newbury