SPRINGFIELD Mass., November 2, 2006--Michelle Bongiovanni of the Springfield College women’s soccer team has been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America District I women’s soccer second team.

Bongiovanni, a senior midfielder for the Pride and a physical education major, has accumulated a remarkable 3.91 GPA over her 3 ½ years at Springfield College. The West Springfield, Mass. native plans to graduate in the spring of 2007. Along with this prestigious honor, Bongiovanni has made the Dean’s list during all of her semesters at SC, and was named the Junior Physical Education Student of the Year during the 2005-2006 academic year.

While at Springfield College, Michelle has displayed as much talent on the soccer field as she has in the classroom. For the Pride this season, Bongiovanni has started all but one of the games. She is currently tied for second on the team in assists with four, and has scored two goals. The Pride has relied on Bongiovanni in the midfield during its impressive 2006 season. SC ended the regular season with an 11-4 overall record and a 7-2 record in NEWMAC play.

SC has claimed the #2 seeding in the NEWMAC tournament. This past Saturday, the Pride beat Clark University, 2-1, in the first round of the tournament. The team will next play #3-seeded Smith College Saturday afternoon (November 4) in the second NEWMAC Tourney semifinal game at 1:30 pm on the Wheaton College campus.

published: 11/02/2006