Spital named third-team All-American

Dara Spital '15 earned All-America honors for the Judges as a sophomore (Photo by Dave Burbank)
Dara Spital '15 earned All-America honors for the Judges as a sophomore (Photo by Dave Burbank)
Posted: Dec 05, 2012
WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University sophomore forward Dara Spital of Miami, Fla. has been selected as a third-team Division III All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) for the Judges' women's program.

Spital led the Brandeis women to a 16-5-2 record. The Judges reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III tournament with wins over Union (2-1), Lasell (3-0) and Cortland State (2-1), marking the best season in school history. Spital was the team's leading scorer, with 14 goals and five assists for 33 points. She scored eight game-winning goals this season, tied for fourth in all of Division III. Her game-winners included crucial scores in University Athletic Association (UAA) wins over the University of Rochester on Sept. 29 and New York University on Nov. 3 in Brandeis's first and last league games of the season. Spital also scored both goals in Brandeis's 2-1 victory over SUNY-Cortland in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament.

Previously a first-team All-UAA selection, Spital tied for the league lead with 14 goals and tied for second with 33 points. She helped the Judges to a final ranking of eighth in the NSCAA national Division III poll. Spital is the fifth All-American in Brandeis women's soccer history and second in four years. A transfer from Division I Central Florida, she is the first Brandeis player to be named All-American before her senior season.

Click here for the complete list of NSCAA Division III Women's Soccer All-Americans: http://www.nscaa.com/awards/all-america/2012-ncaa-d3w-all-america

Spital is a 2011 graduate of Gulliver Preparatory School. She is the daughter of Michael and Jeanne Spital, Miami, Fla.

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