December 17, 2007  

BRYANT WOMEN'S SOCCER PLACES PAIR ON ALL-AMERICAN FIRST TEAM
Spada, Malta become Bulldogs' first-ever First Teamers

Danielle Malta

Tricia Spada

SMITHFIELD, RI - The Bryant women's soccer team was well represented on the 2007 NSCAA Division II All-America squad, boasting the program's first-ever All-American First Teamers in junior defender Danielle Malta (Bethel, Conn.) and senior midfielder Tricia Spada (Dedham, Mass.).

Spada, who already garnered All-Conference and All-Region First Team selections, led the Bulldogs with nine goals and five assists for 23 points on the 2007 season. She had four game-winning goals, including back-to-back winners against Stonehill and Franklin Pierce.

She notched two goals in a win over Holy Family earlier in the season.

Malta, who also earned a 2007 Daktronics All-American Third Team nod, started all 23 contests and was the backbone of the Bulldog defense that allowed just 21 goals on the year.

Malta also earned All-Conference and All-Region First Team honors and was named the Northeast-10 Defensive Player of the Year.

The only other Bulldog to receive All-America honors was 2006 senior captain Casey Grange, who was named to the Second Team last season.

Bryant set a school record with 17 wins in its 2007 campaign and advanced to the NCAA playoffs for the second-straight year.

Joining Spada and Malta as All-Americans from the Northeast-10 Conference were Franklin Pierce's Gabriela Demoner (first team) and Angelika Johansson (second team), Saint Rose's Ashley Karin McGuire (first team) and Merrimack's Heather Macedo (second team).