LaClair, Zdanek Highlight Six GNAC All-Conference Selections

NEWTON, Mass. (11/6/17) -- Two days after clinching their eighth straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship, the Lasell College women's soccer team saw six student-athletes boast All-Conference selections, as announced by the league office Monday afternoon.

Senior goalkeeper Sarah LaClair (Belchertown, Mass.) and junior midfielder Carly Zdanek (Newton, N.J.) highlighted a Laser filled All-Conference list as major award winners. LaClair was tabbed as Goalkeeper of the Year, while Zdanek was named Offensive Player of the Year.

LaClair started all 18 games for the Lasers this season, including 11 versus conference opponents. In her senior campaign, LaClair recorded 66 saves, including 30 in GNAC action, for a .815 save percentage and five shutouts. LaClair's selection marks only the third time a Lasell goalkeeper has been named to the First Team since the Lasers entered the GNAC in 2007. The selection also marks LaClair's third overall All-Conference selection, and was named Second-Team in 2016, and Third-Team in 2015.

An All-Conference First Team selection for the second season in a row, Zdanek scored twice in Saturday's GNAC Championship, lifting the Lasers to their eighth straight title, and subsequent NCAA National Tournament appearance. Zdanek leads the Lasers with 38 points, including 17 goals. With the Offensive Player of the Year honor, Zdanek joins elite company, marking the fifth time a Lasers has received the honor, and fifth in the last six seasons.

Junior Sabrina Morais (Arlington, Mass.) rounds out the First Team selections for the Lasers, boasting one goal, and two assists this season. Morais finds herself as a First Team selection only a year removed from Second-Team All-Conference selection in 2016.

Midfielders Erika Badger (Scituate, Mass.), Caitlin Rotonnelli (Meredith, N.H), and defender Korynne Provenzano (Stratham, N.H.) earned All-Conference Third Team selections. Badger had five goals and five assists for the Lasers, including the game-winner versus Johnson & Wales to clinch the top-seed in the GNAC Tournament.

Rotonnelli contributed seven goals for Lasell in her sophomore campaign, good for second best on the team behind Zdanek. Provenzano, a freshman, started in all but one game this season for the Lasers, working alongside Morais to solidify the defense.

Lasell's six selections ties conference runner-up Johnson & Wales for the lead among GNAC schools, and marks the third year in a row with six or more All-Conference student-athletes.

Lasell now awaits its NCAA Tournament fate to be announced at 1:00 p.m. via NCAA.com.