Date: January 20, 2005

BENEDICT, GUIGLI EARN NSCAA/adidas REGIONAL SOCCER HONORS

MEDFORD – Tufts University soccer players Catherine Benedict (Millburn, NJ/Millburn) and Mike Guigli (North Stonington, CT/Wheeler) were voted on to the 2004 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas NCAA Division III All-New England teams recently.

A center-back, Benedict was selected All-New England Third Team. She was a crucial part to the Jumbos' success in the 2004 season.  She was a leader of the defense, which allowed 1.16 goals per game and posted four shutouts. The highlight of Benedict's season was when she scored a goal against Worcester State on October 3.  This was the first, and only, goal of her career, a total of 57 games.

Benedict helped lead the Jumbos to a 7-4-3 overall record and an impressive 5-1-3 record in conference play.  Tufts placed third in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) for the regular season. The Jumbos finished seventh in the New England Divison III poll.

In his third year as a Jumbo, Guigli was selected to the Fourth Team All-New England. He had a solid year scoring four goals, giving him a total of eight points on the season.  He had goals against MIT (game-tying), Bowdoin, Plymouth State University (game winner) and Middlebury. The talented midfielder was one of only two Jumbos to start all 15 games.

Guigli helped lead the Jumbos to an overall record of 8-6-1, and an impressive non-conference record of 4-1-1. The Jumbos finished seventh in NESCAC at 4-5, then nearly knocked off second seed Middlebury in the first round of the conference tournament before the Panthers came from behind for a 4-3 victory in overtime.

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