Indianapolis, Ind. - 2013 LIU Post graduate
Bridgett Soares (San Diego, Calif.) has been chosen as one of the
Top-30 finalists for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, it was
announced Tuesday. She is just one of 10 Division II
student-athletes among the group.
In September, three honorees from each division, spanning various
NCAA-sponsored sports, will be selected to form the nine finalists
for the award. The winner will be announced at an annual ceremony
in Indianapolis on Oct. 20.
From 2010-13, Soares was a mainstay on the Pioneers' women's
lacrosse defensive unit. She appeared in 50 career games, totaling
as many ground balls, with 22 caused turnovers. Plus, the San Diego
product helped the green and gold to back-to-back NCAA Division II
national championships the past two seasons.
Soares has also excelled for her country. In addition to lending a
hand to several community service organizations, she held the rank
of Officer Candidate in the United States Marine Corps for four
years. Upon graduation from LIU Post, Soares was promoted to Second
Lieutenant.
Her individual accolades did not go unnoticed either. She earned
the LIU Post Women of Achievement Award, the Yellow Ribbon Award,
the LIU Graduating Student Leadership Award, and the Criminal
Justice Department Thomas T. Caracas Academic Excellence Award over
her time in Brookville.
"We are truly pleased with the well-deserved and extremely
distinguished honor that Bridgett is a part of," said Director of
Athletics Bryan Collins (Sayville, N.Y.). "She represents
everything that you could ask for in a student-athlete. Her passion
and commitment to her country, family, the University, and her
teammates demonstrate what a special woman she is."
LIU Post Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Meghan McNamara added with
excitement, "I am speechless. We are so proud of Bridgett. Being
considered, and surrounded by all these amazing student-athletes,
for Woman of the Year really speaks about who Bridgett is as a
person, teammate, student and leader."
The NCAA Woman of the Year Award recognizes graduating
student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their
collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletic
excellence, service and leadership. The award has been given
annually since 1991.
For the full release on the Top-30 nominees for NCAA Woman of the
Year, please click here.
Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.
