CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Lesley University sophomore Lilly Donovan (Newburyport, Mass.) will don red, white, and blue this summer as she has been pegged as the goalkeeper for the USA Division III All Star team that will be traveling and playing in Brazil.
The Lynx have been no stranger to international play as they have sent several players to the USA DIII All Star team in each of the past two years. Alexis Giusti '15, and Hannah Landerholm '15 both ventured to Brazil is 2014 while Hayley Wirth (Escondido, Calif.) and Erik Johansen (West Harrison, N.Y.) of the Lesley men's soccer team were both selected to play this past summer.
Women's Soccer head coach Paul Vasconcelos was selected to lead the All Start team this summer, but has since withdrawn his candidacy.
From the Daily News of Newburyport:
Lilly Donovan experienced a lot of success in her time at Newburyport High School.
A three-sport athlete, Donovan won the state championship with the Clippers girls soccer and girls lacrosse teams during her senior season, eventually earning a spot on the Lesley University soccer team.
And now that Donovan's at the next level, her success hasn't stopped.
The Lynx sophomore goalie was just selected to the USA Division 3 team that will play in Brazil at the end of May. There are 15 women on the roster, and Donovan is the only goalie.
"It makes me happy someone would think of me when there's only one goalie to choose," said Donovan. "It's more of a fun thing, but it's a U.S. team so you're representing us. There's a little bit of pressure, but in a good way. I am so excited. I can't way to go travel through Brazil and play soccer. It's two things I love combined into one."
It's not surprising that Donovan was chosen out of all the Division 3 goalies, considering she's only surrendered one goal in 14 appearances including eight starts. She made a dozen appearances and five starts as a freshman, allowing no goals.