Lesley’s Durben Selected NECC Female Senior Student-Athlete of the Year

ATTLEBORO, Mass.- Lesley University women’s soccer and softball standout Alyson Durben was named the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Female Senior Student-Athlete of the Year, it was announced by Commissioner Del Malloy. Durben is a global studies major set to graduate this Spring.

Voting for both Senior Student-Athlete of the Year awards was conducted among the athletic directors at the nine member institutions.

Durben closed the chapter on a tremendous four-year career at Lesley. A native of Stow, Mass., she led the Lynx to a 2009 NECC Women’s Soccer Championship Title and 2008 and 2010 NECC runners-up trophy in women’s soccer with a 11-6-3 overall record and an undefeated 7-0-1 conference finish in her final campaign. In softball, Durben helped the Lynx to take all-three NECC Softball titles in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The Lynx went a perfect 16-0 in conference play and 29-8 overall this past season. Durben’s outstanding softball career at Lesley was bookended by NCAA Regional Tournament appearances in her freshman and senior campaigns.

“Alyson was a star on and off of the field for Lesley University,” stated Lesley Director of Athletics Stan Viera.  “She is a born leader and a person that our student-athletes and staff all admire and respect. She was captain of both the soccer and softball teams and a perennial all-conference selection every year.”

The senior set the Lynx all-time assist mark with her 25th on Lesley’s senior night October 16, 2010 and holds the all-time single season assist record at 11 in 2008. The midfielder played in 76 games scoring 19 goals, 25 assists and 63 points for her four years career.

“I couldn't think of anyone more deserving of this,” said Lesley Head Soccer Coach Paul Vasconcelos.  “Allie is a wonderful role model for our younger players. As a coach you wish you could have 25 Allie Durben's on the roster.”

Durben was also a stellar four-year starter in softball holding the Lesley single season record for extra bases (30) and triples (7) in 2008. The outfielder played in 152 games starting 141 with a .400 career batting average. She tallied 130 runs, 181 hits, 141 RBI, 38 doubles, 15 triples, 8 home runs, 271 total bases, and 14 stolen bases.

“Alyson is a well rounded young woman who has taken advantage of every opportunity that has come her way- both as a student and an athlete,” said Lesley Head Softball Coach Jennifer Benway.  “She is the president of SAAC, captain of both of the softball and soccer team and she was selected to attend the NCAA Career in Sports Forum this past May. She is a natural leader and her peers look up to her. She has excelled both in the classroom and on the field and I am very proud of her accomplishment of Senior Student-Athlete of the Year. This honor is well deserved!”

Durben’s impressive 2010-11 resume also included All-NECC first team for both soccer and softball, National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-New England third team, New England Women’s Soccer Association Senior Bowl and NSCAA All-Academic Team Award.  She was also named Lesley’s Female Athlete of the Year and the MVP for Softball.

In addition to her accomplishments for the season, Durben was named All-NECC Second Team for soccer in 2008 and 2009, while making All-North Atlantic Conference (NAC) honorable mention in 2007. In softball she was named All-NECC first team in 2010, second team in 2009 and NAC first team along with Rookie of the Year in 2008. She was also named 2008 NFCA All-New England Second Team and 2008 New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association second team.

Durben was also an integral part of the inception of the NECC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) finishing off her three year stint as the NECC Co-Chair. She was the Lynx SAAC President along with peer tutor on campus. She was involved in the NECC SAAC members volunteering at Springfield’s Open Pantry and this past season’s work with the New London’s Special Olympics athletes at Mitchell College. She took part in Lesley’s “Hope for Stanley” New Orleans Hurricane Katrina Summer 2010 restoration retreat.

“Allie Durben made a difference during her years at Lesley University and as a student-athlete in the New England Collegiate Conference”, stated Commissioner Malloy. “She led by example and never asked anyone to do something she wouldn't do herself. I can't think of another student-athlete more deserving of this recognition than Allie. We will miss her.”

She also finished her student teaching at Maria L. Baldwin School in Cambridge, Mass. this past year.

“It is very rare to experience knowing such an amazing person and it has been a joy and privilege to watch Alyson grow over the last four years,” said Viera. “Lesley University will not be the same without her!”

Having concluded her career at Lesley, Durben will turn her sights to graduate school having been accepted into Belmont University’s sports management masters program with a graduate assistantship in student-athlete academic advising.