KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Both the GNAC Defensive Player (Emily DeRoehn) and Offensive Player (Sarah Dullaghan) of the year were named to the United Soccer Coaches Division III All-American Team. DeRoehn of Johnson & Wales and Dullaghan of Emmanuel were the two lone recipients to appear from the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) as they were placed on the fourth team nationally.
The JWU senior defensive back caps off an amazing career filled with a luxurious resume in which the Old Lyme, Conn. native collects her second-straight All-America honors to cap off her impressive four-year career with the Wildcats. Meanwhile, the Saints junior caps off an explosive and unforgettable season as Dullaghan becomes the first-ever All-American in Emmanuel's Women's Soccer Program history to add to her remarkable 2024 campaign. More information about these honorees below courtesy of JWU and Emmanuel's Athletic Communications Department.
FULL LIST OF ALL-AMERICANS HERE
Release Courtesy of Emmanuel Athletic Communications
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Saints junior Sarah Dullaghan added yet another first to her impressive 2024 season, becoming the first women's soccer All-American in program history, after being selected to the United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-American Fourth Team, as announced by the USC on Thursday, Dec. 5. Dullaghan was eligible for an All-American selection after receiving a spot on the USC All-Region I First Team earlier in the week.
The third-year forward's nomination to the USC All-American squad adds to her list of awards this season. The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player of the Year, the GNAC Women's Soccer Tournament MVP, a GNAC All-Conference First Team selection, and a five-time GNAC Player of the Week honoree, now adds the first USC All-American Award in the program's 29-year history.
"I am grateful for this recognition and couldn't have done this without my teammates and coaches," said Dullaghan. "The past three years have been a big journey for all of us and just like everyone else on the team, I was given a job to do, and it's led me to this day."
Dullaghan's record-setting season transcended that of the Emmanuel women's soccer record books and reached into the record archives of NCAA Division III Women's Soccer.
With her season of 45 goals, nine assists, and 99 points, Dullaghan set the NCAA Division III women's soccer single-season record for goals in a season, breaking a mark that held since 1998. Her 99-point season, which was capped off with the game-winning tally in the GNAC Championship Match, set the single-season points record, breaking a record that held since 1989.
"I have to give credit to Liz McCormick and Hailey Goodman," added Dullaghan. "They had a huge part in this award by constantly producing on the wings for us."
With their win in the GNAC Championship Match, the Saints made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007, accomplishing another goal the program set out for in 2024.
"Last year we didn't get to where we wanted, and going into this year, I talked with coaches and we all had the same goals in mind, all of which we accomplished," continued Dullaghan.
Emmanuel head coach Francis Okaroh, whose program had produced back-to-back 18-win seasons, sees Dullaghan's accomplishment as the start of a new chapter for the women's soccer team.
"I want to first say congratulations to Sarah on her achievement of being named a USC All-American today. This is a big day for Emmanuel, as Sarah is the first women's soccer player to be honored with this," said Okaroh. "My staff and I are very proud to teach young women like her. Hopefully, this is only the beginning of many more Saints to be recognized."
Dullaghan is one of 51 total women's soccer student-athletes to be named a USC All-American. Of those 51 players, the USC All-American honorees list was comprised of 17 forwards, 15 midfielders, 15 defenders, and four keepers.
"I appreciate the support of my family and friends and my teammates and coaches whose encouragement has helped me reach this milestone," said Dullaghan. "It's a privilege to represent my team on this list and be the first player to be an All-American for this program."
With her All-American selection, Dullaghan is now the eighth Emmanuel student-athlete to ever receive All-American Honors.
Release Courtesy of Johnson & Wales Athletic Communications
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – JWU (Providence) women's soccer senior Emily DeRoehn capped her stellar career with a spot on the 2024 United Soccer Coaches (USC) NCAA Division III All-America Fourth Team.
DeRoehn – who was named to the USC All-Region 1 First Team for the third time in her career earlier this week (2022-24) – finished her senior campaign with 18 points on six goals and six assists in 23 matches. The three-time reigning Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Defensive Player of the Year collected a season-high five points (2-1-5) in a win over Elms on September 4 and scored the GWG on a penalty kick at Colby-Sawyer one week later.
A four-time GNAC First Team pick (2021-24), the Old Lyme, Connecticut native was the linchpin of a defense which held opponents to just 14 goals in 23 matches and posted 16 shutouts. DeRoehn – who netted the game-winner in the GNAC Quarterfinals against Regis (MA) on November 2 – finished her career tied for No. 5 in game-winning goals (nine), tied for No. 7 in goals (31), and tied for No. 10 in points (74) in program history.
The Wildcats finished the 2024 campaign with an 18-4-1 record and advanced to the GNAC Championship match for the fifth-consecutive season, where they fell to No. 2 seeded Saints, 2-1.
ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 16 member institutions and over 4000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 21 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.
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