Dec. 14, 2011

LOS ANGELES - UCLA women's soccer players Sydney Leroux and Abby Dahlkemper were both recently rewarded for having outstanding seasons in 2011, as both players were named to the NSCAA Division I All-America Team.

Leroux, from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, recently concluded a stellar four-year career for the Bruins. She led the team in scoring for the third-straight season in 2011, posting 16 goals and three assists for 35 points. She also led the Pac-12 in game-winning goals with eight. Leroux came in second in the voting for Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2011, landing a spot on the conference's first team. She finishes her college career ranked in the top 5 at UCLA in several offensive categories, including points (126 - 4th), goals (57 - 4th) and game-winning goals (23 - 4th).

It marks the third All-America honor of her career and first selection to the first team, as she was a third-team NSCAA All-American in 2009 and 2010.

Abby Dahlkemper

Dahlkemper, a freshman defender from Menlo Park, Calif., becomes just the second freshman in UCLA history to earn NSCAA All-America honors, joining Lauren Cheney, who was a first-team selection in 2006. The third-team All-American was one of just five Bruin players to start all 21 matches this season. Dahlkemper was a leader on a back line that surrendered just 12 goals all season. The team also posted 13 shutouts this season, surrendering more than one goal on just two occasions. Dahlkemper's two assists on the season were key, as one came in a 1-0 win over Oregon State during the regular season, and another was in a 1-1 tie with San Diego in the NCAA Tournament.

The 49 athletes who were named NSCAA Division I All-Americans this year will be recognized at the annual All-America Luncheon, to be held in the Kansas City Convention Center's Grand Ballroom on Saturday, Jan. 14, in conjunction with the 2012 NSCAA Convention in Kansas City, Mo.

In addition to Dahlkemper and Leroux, UCLA's Zakiya Bywaters and Samantha Mewis were named to the NSCAA All-Pacific Region first team.

2011 NSCAA/Continental Tire Women's NCAA Division I All-America Team

First Team

GK Adrianna Franch, Oklahoma State
D Natasha Anasi, Duke
D Camille Levin, Stanford
D Melinda Mercado, Oklahoma State
D Lizzy Simonin, Memphis
MF Morgan Brian, Virginia
MF Julie Johnston, Santa Clara
MF Teresa Noyola, Stanford
MF Mallory Schaffer, William & Mary
MF Ingrid Wells, Georgetown
F Maya Hayes, Penn State
F Sydney Leroux, UCLA
F Katie Stengel, Wake Forest
F Lindsay Taylor, Stanford
F Becca Wann, Richmond

Second Team
GK Aubrey Bledsoe, Wake Forest
GK Elise Kuhar-Pitters, Memphis
D Coco Goodson, UC Irvine
D Ines Jaurena, Florida State
D Michelle Pao, Pepperdine
MF Vanessa DiBernardo, Illinois
MF Christine Nairn, Penn State
MF Erika Tymrak, Florida
MF Renee Washington, La Salle
F Kayla Grimsley, South Carolina
F Sarah Hagan, Milwaukee
F Kelsey Haycook, La Salle
F Tiffany McCarty, Florida State
F Stephanie Ochs, San Diego
F Colleen Williams, Dayton

Third Team
GK Bianca Henninger, Santa Clara
GK Erin Quinlan, Hartford
GK Emily Oliver, Stanford
D Angelina Cords, Boston University
D Abby Dahlkemper, UCLA
D Lindsi Lisonbee, BYU
D Kathryn Williamson, Florida
MF Caitlin Alves, Hartford
MF Crystal Dunn, North Carolina
MF Kaitlyn Kerr, Duke
MF Katy Frierson, Auburn
MF Tori Huster, Florida State
MF Kristen Mewis, Boston College
F Christine Exeter, Louisville
F Melissa Henderson, Notre Dame
F Tishia Jewell, Central Florida
F Jessica Luscinski, Boston University
F Caroline Miller, Virginia
F Christabel Oduro, Memphis