Women's Soccer Players Compete Overseas on US D3 Tour

Two Suffolk University Women's Soccer players are taking their skills overseas this week as freshmen Taylor Miranda (Smithtown, N.Y.) and Gabrielle Balestrier (Mohnton, Pa.) are travelling to Brazil as part of the USA D-3 Soccer Tour run by USA Sports Tours and Events.

The USA D-3 Soccer tour will run from May 17 through May 26.  The squad will begin with orientation and practice in Orlando, Florida for the first two days before flying to Sao Paulo, Brazil for back-to-back-to-back contests in the City of Jundiai on May 19, 20 and 21.  The teams will then travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for two more contests on May 23 and May 24.  The two USA D-3 Soccer teams will be competing against top U-22 club teams from the States of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janiero. 

The USA D-3 Soccer All Stars are invited men's and women's players from across the country who were recognized as All Region or All Conference by their NCAA Division 3 conferences. 

Miranda finished the season with 46 points, scoring 21 goals and adding four assists in 17 games for the Rams. Her 21 goals on the year set a new program record, while her 17 goals in conference play are a new GNAC record. For her efforts Miranda was named the GNAC's Offensive Player of the Year, and was also a first-team All-Conference selection this past season. Miranda was also an All-New England third team selection by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Miranda was one of the top offensive performers in the nation as her 21 goals ranked 19th among all NCAA Division-III women's soccer players. Her 1.24 goals per game average was 8th best in the nation, while her 2.71 points per game average was number 11. Miranda also ranked 26th among all scorers in the country with her 46 total points. The freshman forward was the leader in most offensive categories within the GNAC as she led the league in points, points per game, goals and goals per game. Her four game winning goals ranked second in the league.

Balestrier was named GNAC Rookie of the Year, as well as being named a first team All-Conference selection at forward. Balestrier finished the season second on the team in goals with 15, and third in points with 43. Her 2.69 points per game is currently ranked 18th among all NCAA Division-III Women's Soccer players, while her 13 assists this season is eighth in the country. Balestrier is ranked second in the GNAC with 43 points, while her 2.69 points per game is also ranked second trailing teammate Miranda. Balestrier brought in plenty of awards this season, including being named New England Division-III Player of the Week by the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) on September 20. That week Balestrier recorded her first of two hat tricks this season, with her first coming in a 6-2 victory over Emmanuel College on September 18. Balestrier also earned GNAC Player of the Week honors that week and has been named GNAC Rookie of the Week on October 11.

Steve Kimble, Head Coach of the College of Saint Benedict in Saint. Joseph, MN will be the Head Coach of the Women's USA D-3 Soccer Team.