WALTHAM, Mass. – The Brandeis University women's soccer team has earned three honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Individually, junior forward Dara Spital of Miami, Fla., was a third-team All-New England selection, while classmate Alec Spivack of Miami, Fla., was a fourth-team honoree at back. As a team, the Judges were recognized for their off-the-field accomplishments with the NSCAA Team Academic Award.
Spital was Brandeis's leading scorer for the second year in a row despite missing the team's final six games of the season due to injury. She had nine goals and six assists for 24 points in 13 contests and led the University Athletic Association (UAA) in with 1.83 points per game. She finished tied for fourth in the UAA in total goals and fifth in total points. Spital also tied for the league lead with five game-winning goals. Spital was a first-team All-New England and third team All-America team selection by the NSCAA in 2012.
Spivack earned All-Region status for the second year in a row after claiming second-team honors as a sophomore. Playing center back, Spivack helped the Judges record nine shutouts in 19 games, third-most in the UAA. She was also a second-team All-Association selection.
As a team, Brandeis earned the NSCAA's All-Academic award for the fourth year in a row after compiling a team grade-point average of 3.38. The Judges had 15 team members selected to the 2013 UAA All-Academic squad with GPAs higher than 3.30. Along with the Brandeis men, the Judges were one of 190 schools in Division I, II or III that had both squads earn the NSCAA Team Academic Award.
In head coach Denise Dallamora's 34th season on the sidelines, the Brandeis women posted a 10-6-3 record in 2013. The Judges finished fifth in the UAA with a 2-3-2 record. They earned the second seed in the ECAC Division III New England tournament and were upset by Castleton State in the quarterfinals on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw in regulation.
Spital is a 2011 graduate of Gulliver Preparatory School. She is the daughter of Michael and Jeanne Spital, Miami, Fla.
Spivack is a 2011 graduate of Miami Palmetto Senior High School. She is the daughter of Michael and Liz Spivack, Miami, Fla.