Pine Manors Kayla Nielsen Named GNAC Sportswoman of the Year
Pine Manor College soccer and softball player Kayla Nielsen was named Great Northeast Athletic Conference Sportswoman of the Year, the league announced Wednesday, lauding the freshman for her respect and integrity on and off her fields of play.
Pine Manor College soccer and softball player Kayla Nielsen was
named Great Northeast Athletic Conference Sportswoman of the Year,
the league announced Wednesday, lauding the freshman for her
respect and integrity on and off her fields of play.
“Kayla is always positive and upbeat, which rubs off on the
team,” said Nielsen’s soccer coach, Cory Kinsella.
“Her presence and attitude are contagious.”
The goalkeeper for the Gators soccer team and a catcher-infielder
on the diamond, Nielsen (Saco, ME/Thornton Academy) was named to
the 2009 GNAC Softball All-Sportsmanship Team, as well as the Third
Team All-Conference as a utility player. A selfless teammate who
played wherever her team needed her, Nielsen was also instrumental
in the Pine Manor community.
Nielsen helped conduct a workshop for a group of 20 girls from
Boston’s Sportsmen’s Tennis Club, speaking to children
about education, athletics and staying on course to success, with
the workshop stressing the importance of teamwork. An outstanding
representative of Pine Manor, she also spoke at the College’s
Board of Visitors meeting regarding the student-athlete experience
last fall.
As a result of her commitment and success on the field and in the
community, Kayla was the recipient of the Peter G. Ellis
Award. The Ellis Award is reserved for the first-year Pine
Manor student-athlete who portrays outstanding “dedication,
spirit and ability.”
From here, Nielsen, who led the GNAC and finished 19th in the NCAA
with 11.86 saves per game for the Gators soccer team, will be
nominated on behalf of the league for NCAA Sportswoman of the Year.
The award, which rewards “respect for self, others and the
sport,” will be released next month.
Courtesy: Pine Manor Athletic Communications
