Lasell Women's Soccer's Kingman Caps Historic Career as First Female All-American
Lasell senior defender Mack Kingman has been named to the NSCAA Division III Women's All-America Second Team, it was announced last week.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Courtesy of Lasell Athletics Communications
NEWTON, Mass. - Lasell College senior defender Mack Kingman (East Bridgewater, Mass.) was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) NCAA Division III Women's All-America Second Team, as announced Thursday evening.
Kingman is the first female athlete in Lasell College history to earn All-America honors, the only New England defender this year to earn either First or Second Team All-America status, and one of just seven players from New England schools selected overall. She is also the first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) female honoree, and is the only player, male or female, given an NSCAA All-America honor in 2016.
"Being chosen as an All-American is an honor and a surreal feeling. It means even more ending my soccer career here at Lasell with such an award," said the four-time GNAC champion. "I am extremely thankful for the award and the opportunity to represent my team and Lasell College as a whole.
A three-time All-GNAC honoree over her career, Kingman was named the league's Co-Defensive Player of the Year, while earning her first, First Team All-Conference spot.
Kingman started in all 22 games in the program's winningest season, and anchored the defense for a team that allowed just 18 goals all year and earned ten of its 18 wins in shutout fashion.
"It is an honor for us to have Mackenzie recognized as an All-American," said Director of Athletics Kristy Walter. "She has made an incredible impact on the women's soccer program during her time here and the recognition is well deserved."
Kingman played in 85 of Lasell's games over her career, a mark that ranks third in the Lasers' all-time record books, and scored four goals and 12 total points. She started all 43 contests over her final two seasons and all but one in four years, helping Lasell win GNAC championships in each of her four seasons. This year's senior class including Kingman did not lose a single conference match during their entire career after finishing this fall with a 10-0-1 GNAC mark.
"Mack has deeply impacted our program since day one of her freshman year," commented head coach Vito LaFrancesca. "Mack came to us as an attacking midfielder and played a little defense her sophomore year. It wasn't until this year that she converted to a permanent defender. Much of our success as a program that we have accomplished, has be through her leadership and talent."
This is Kingman's second NSCAA honor this season as she and classmate Megan Cullen (Amesbury, Mass.) were named All-Region selections for the second straight year on Tuesday. Kingman was a First Team All-New England honoree in 2016 after earning Second Team honors last season.
Kingman is now the third Lasell athlete to be recognized at the All-America level, as Mike Skelton was honored in 2013 also by the NSCAA, along with Jose Guitian, a D3Hoops All-American back in 2009.
" It is a great feeling to be recognized, but ultimately I would not have gotten to this point in my soccer career without the help and support from my teammates and coaches," said Kingman. "The award may have my name on it, but in reality it's a team effort."
"It's an honor that is well-deserved for one of the top defenders in the country!" concluded LaFrancesca. "I am so proud of her."
Kingman will be honored at the annual NSCAA All-America Luncheon on Saturday, January 14, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The event honors All-America players at the youth, high school, and college levels, and is held in conjunction with the 70th annual NSCAA Convention.