Three from Women’s Soccer Earn NEWISA All-New England Accolades

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 20, 2023) – Western New England women's soccer's Allison Bruehwiler, Summer Hathaway and Alison VanVolkenburg were named to the New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association's All-New England Team, as announced by the organization today. 

The team, which was voted on by NCAA Division III coaches from colleges and universities in New England, is comprised of a First Team, Second Team, and a Third Team. The First Team and Second Team consist of four forwards, four midfielders, four defenders and a goalkeeper. The Third Team was expanded to account for ties in voting.

Allison Bruehwiler was named to the All-New England Second Team after having another standout season for the Golden Bears, leading the team in nearly every statistical category. Bruehwiler's eight goals, five assists, 21 points, 61 shots, and 33 shots on goal led the Golden Bears to 14 wins on the season, their most since the 2002-2003 season. 

Joining Bruehwiler on the NEWISA All-New England Second Team was defender Summer Hathaway who played in all 22 games on the year for the Golden Bears, making all 22 starts. The senior defender scored two goals on the season, including the eventual game winning goal, the opening goal, of the CCC Quarterfinal's against Wentworth Institute. Hathaway logged 41 shots this season, placing 17 on goal. The Colchester, Vermont native played in 60 games over her career with WNE, making 58 starts. 

Alison VanVolkenburg was named to the NEWISA All-New England Third Team after playing in all 22 games for Western New England on the year. VanVolkenburg netted three goals on the season, all penalty kicks for the Golden Bears, including the eventual game winning goal against Westfield State University on October 5. The Ledyard, Connecticut native scored a PK goal in the first round of the NCAA Tournament for WNE, leading the Golden Bears to victory for the first time in their program's history. 

The Western New England women's soccer team reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since joining the Commonwealth Coast Conference where they collected their first ever NCAA Tournament win in program history, defeating York College (Pa.) by a final score of 2-0 before bowing out to top ranked Misericordia University in the second round of the tournament. The Golden Bears finished the season with a record of 14-6-2, including a 6-2-1 mark in CCC play, earning the top spot in the CCC playoffs.