CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Lesley University women's soccer team saw six student-athletes earn postseason North Atlantic Conference (NAC) honors, including a conference-best four named to the NAC East Division All-Conference First Team. The First Team honorees were Abby Kalou (Chicago, Ill.), Zoe Curtaz (Novato, Calif.), Annika Gnesda (Chico, Calif.), and Isabella Danna (Miami, Fla.). The Lynx also saw Rachel Weinzimer (Woodland Hills, Calif.) named to the East Division All-Conference Second Team, and Madison Roy (St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands) was placed on the NAC Sportsmanship Team as announced by the conference earlier this afternoon.
Kalou had a stellar year for the Lynx. The senior forward finished the year with a team-high eight goals and dished out five assists (21 points) in 20 games played. Her eight goals rank her in the top five of the NAC (fifth). Kalou also became the fourth student-athlete in program history to reach the 100-point milestone in a 7-0 win over Thomas College (Oct. 8). Kalou now concludes her Lynx career with 41 goals and 26 assists for 108 points. Whenever she scored a goal this year, the Lynx were an impressive 9-0-0. For Kalou, Thursday's recognition marked the second year in a row she was named to the NAC East Division's All-Conference First Team. She was also recognized as a NAC Co-Player of the Week this year during the week of October 15.
Curtaz did a little bit of everything for Lesley this season as the junior forward set career highs in multiple categories, including games played (20), games started (16), goals (six), assists (five), points (17), and shots (31). In nine contests this year, Curtaz recorded at least one point, and in those games, Lesley was 6-1-2. Curtaz had a stretch where she finished with multiple points in three straight games, and in those games, Lesley was a perfect 3-0-0. For Curtaz, this is the first time she earned a spot on the NAC East Division All-Confernece First Team.
Gnesda made her Lesley debut this year after playing her previous two seasons at Lake Tahoe Community College and made an impact right away. She started in 18 of her 20 games and was a constant force on the field. She helped anchor a Lesley defense that allowed a conference-low 1.15 goals per game and let up just 23 goals. Gnesda's East Division All-Conference First Team honors marked the first of her career.
Danna was another key figure for the stellar Lesley defense this season. She started in 18 of 20 games played this year and also recorded her first two collegiate goals. Her first score came in a 6-1 win over UMaine Presque Isle on September 21, and her other goal was during a 4-1 victory at Maine Maritime on September 28. On the defensive side, Danna helped the Lesley defense post six shutouts on the season, three of which were during conference play. For Danna, Thursday's NAC East Division All-Conference First Team honor is the first of her career.
Weinzimer was a solid contributor to the Lesley defense this season. She not only helped Lesley put up conference-best numbers on the defensive side, but she also chipped in offensively, scoring one goal and dishing out her first collegiate assist. Her lone goal came in a 6-0 triumph over Mass. Maritime (Oct. 30), and her first career assist was from a 4-0 win versus Framingham State (Oct. 16). The junior defender also started in a career-high 15 games while playing in 17. Her postseason NAC honors marked the first of her career.
In her first year, Roy made a strong and positive impact on the Lynx. She played in four contests and made her collegiate debut against UMaine Presque-Isle on Sept. 21. Her spot on the NAC Sportsmanship Team is the first NAC honor in her career.
On the year, Lesley finished with a 10-7-3 record and a 6-3-1 record in conference play. With their 10 wins, the Lynx have now finished with at least 10 or more wins every year since 2006. Lesley's offense was one of the most high-powered in the conference as the team finished within the top five in numerous offensive categories, including goals per game (2.5- second), goals for (50-second), and shots (400-second). Lesley also saw 12 different student-athletes find the back of the net this year.