Lesley’s Durben named to NEWISA Senior Bowl
NASHUA, NH -- In what head coach Paul Vasconcelos called "the cherry on top" for Lesley senior Alyson Durben's career, the midfielder has been selected for the NEISA Senior Bowl, New England's only all-star game that combines the top collegiate seniors from all three NCAA divisions.
The New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association announced selections Wednesday, with Durben (Stow, MA/Nashoba Regional) being chosen among candidates from over 30 teams at all levels of the NCAA. A 2010 First Team All-New England Collegiate Conference selection, Durben captained the Lynx to an 11-6-3 record and undefeated 7-0-1 record in NECC play, finishing sixth in the league in assists per game (0.38) and seventh in assists (six).
"Ally is very deserving of this," said Vasconcelos. "I know her teammates are happy for her."
Durben, who set the Lynx all-time assist mark with career assist No. 25 on Lesley's senior night on October 16, is the only player from the NECC chosen but is the second Lesley player selected to the Senior Bowl in two years. Lynx all-time leading scorer Jodi Fralick was named to the team in 2009.
"This is our second year in a row getting one our seniors selected to the NEWISA team. It is always great for others to recognize your players," said Vasconcelos.
"This is the cherry on top to what was a great college career."
Durben's Lynx were on Monday given the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's (NSCAA) Team Academic Award after the team earned a combined grade point average of 3.17 for the 2009-10 academic year. Lesley was lauded as one of only 129 institutions nationwide to have both its men's and women's soccer programs honored by the NSCAA and one of only a handful in New England to receive the honor.
The NEWISA Senior Bowl will be played on December 4 at Merrimack College at 2:30 p.m.
Alyson Durben career accomplishments:
*** 2010 All-NECC First Team ***
*** 2009 All-NECC Second Team ***
*** 2008 All-NECC Second Team ***
*** 2007 NAC Honorable Mention ***
*** Lesley University All-Time Career Assists Leader***
*** Lesley University All-Time Single-Season Assists Leader ***
Story Courtesy of Lesley Sports Information
