CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Head women's soccer coach Paul Vasconcelos has announced his team's captains for the 2013 season.

Senior forward Veronica Halen (San Diego, Calif.) joins classmates Taylor Smith (Sandy Hook, Conn.) and midfielder Sarah Apgar (Andover, NJ) as the leaders of the 2013 Lynx.

"These three young women are great people who lead by example on and off the field," said Vasconcelos. "We are very happy for them as it is an honor to be a captain here at Lesley."

Halen is a three-time New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) All-Conference selection and was awarded the Player of the Year award in 2011 as a sophomore.

"Veronica knows what it takes to win and works hard every year," said Vasconcelos.

Smith has played in 58 games, starting 37 of them over the course of her first three seasons. This past season, Smith was a NECC First-Team selection and was an ALL-NECC tournament selection in 2011.  

"Taylor has developed into a great collegiate defender," said the seventh year coach. "She has worked very hard to get where she is and we feel she is a great example for our younger players."

Apgar has 13 goals and 12 assists in 53 games played for the Lynx. In 2011 Apgar was selected as NECC All-Conference honorable mention and made the NECC All-Tournament team this past season.

"Sarah has been a staple in our midfield since she arrived," Vasconcelos said. "We are looking forward to watching her in a leadership role."

The Lynx finished undefeated and in first place in the NECC for the 4th straight season, winning the conference championship and making an appearance in the NCAA tournament.

"I'm looking forward to a productive relationship between the coaching staff, captains, and team in 2013," Vasconcelos added.

The Lynx open up preseason on August 19th in Cambridge.