WALTHAM, Mass. - Brandeis University senior forward Melissa Gorenkoff of Woodbury, N.Y., as been selected as an NCAA Division III third-team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Also honored by the NSCAA was junior back Taryn Martiniello of Wilmington, Mass., who was a fourth-team All-New England selection.
Gorenkoff, a three-time All-University Athletic Association and two-time NSCAA All-New England honoree - including first-team accolades this season - is the fourth woman in Brandeis soccer history to be named an All-American and the first since 1989. She joins Carmen Bumgarner '91, Kellie Vaughan '89 and Pam Vaughan '90 as Brandeis All-Americans.
Gorenkoff finished second in the UAA with 10 assists, tied for the second-highest single-season total in Brandeis history. She also had four goals, totaling 18 points during the regular season, third-most on the squad. Gorenkoff finished her career as Brandeis's all-time leader with 28 assists. She had three helpers in UAA play, including an assist and the game-winning goal in a 4-2 win at Emory on Oct. 18 that snapped the Eagles' 27-match home unbeaten streak. That assist was her 24th, giving her the career record. Gorenkoff also had a goal and two assists in the ECAC Division III New England tournament - including the 85th-minute goal that forced overtime in a 3-3 draw with Mass. College of Liberal Arts in a downpour in the semifinals.
Martiniello was one of three Brandeis backs who previously earned All-UAA honorable mention. She has never missed a game in her career. This season, she helped the Judges record nine shutouts in their 21 contests, as the team finished third in the conference with a 0.76 goals-against average.
Overall, the Judges finished the regular-season at 10-6-5 and 3-3-1 in the UAA, tied for fourth place. In head Denise Dallamora's 30th season on the Brandeis sidelines, Brandeis earned the top seed in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England tournament. After winning their first-round match, 3-0, over Castleton State College, on Nov. 11, the Judges advanced registered two ties in the semifinals and finals. They drew with MCLA, 3-3, in the semifinals and advanced on penalty kicks, 3-1, before a scoreless draw with Keene State College in the championship match saw the Owls take a 4-2 PK victory.
Gorenkoff is a 2006 graduate of Syosset High School. She is the daughter of Miles and Marci Gorenkoff, Woodbury, N.Y.
Martiniello is a 2007 graduate of Wilmington High School. She is the daughter of Anthony and Wendy Martiniello, Wilmington, Mass.
For the complete 2009 NSCAA Division III Women's Soccer
All-America team, click here: http://www.nscaa.com/articles/20091207214524528.php
For the complete 2009 NSCAA Division III Women's Soccer All-New
England team, click here: http://www.nscaa.com/downloads/09D3WNE1207.html