Dodge and Nolan earn All-New England Honors for USJ

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – University of Saint Joseph freshman goalkeeper Melissa Dodge (Watertown, Conn.) was named All-New England by the ECAC (Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference) and she and junior forward Patricia Nolan (Portland, Conn.) were National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Second Team All-New England selections, the organizations announced Thursday.

Dodge finished second in the country among Division III goaltenders in save percentage, making 114 saves on 123 shots faced for a .927 percentage. Her Goals Against Average of 0.48 was 16th in the nation and both figures led the GNAC. She posted nine shutouts and started three other combined shutouts during the season. Dodge, who was honored as the GNAC Defensive Player of the Year, was the only freshman named to the 14-player ECAC team and the only freshman named First or Second team by the NSCAA. She is Saint Joseph's first-ever, First Team All-New England Honoree. 

Nolan led the Blue Jays offensively with 14 goals, nine assists and 37 points, each of which were second in the GNAC. She broke two career school scoring records during the year and has 45 goals and 105 total points and counting through three seasons. She had four game-winning goals on the season, giving her 13 for her career. Both Dodge and Nolan were named First Team All-GNAC in November.

"I am beyond thrilled to receive news that I have made Second Team All-New England," Nolan said. "After making First Team All-Conference, I didn't think it could get any better! But I've said it once and I'll say it many times to come: Soccer here at Saint Joseph is a family and nothing is accomplished alone. Without the support and accomplishments of my teammates, I wouldn't have been graced with such an honor." 

The pair become the third and fourth players in school history to be named All-New England. Susie McKenna was named All-NSCAA Third Team at defense as a junior in 2008 and Cait Witham was named Second Team at goalkeeper by the ECAC as a senior in 2009. 

*Release courtesy of USJ Sports Information Dept.