Leading scorer also has perfect 4.0 GPA

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November 6, 2011

Leading scorer also has perfect 4.0 GPA

Our College Stars Michael Muldoon The Eagle Tribune Sun Nov 06, 2011, 07:14 PM EST

Even if she weren't an all-league candidate playing Division 1 soccer, Eliza Marshall would be a mighty impressive young lady.

The Brown junior political science major from North Andover has a perfect 4.0 GPA, tutors elementary school students from a tough section of Providence, works with terminally ill children and served a coveted internship over the summer in the Rhode Island state treasurer's office.

"She's an amazing young lady," said Phil Pincince, her soccer coach at Brown. "She finds time to do it all."

A two-year starter, Marshall is having "just a phenomenal year," said Pincince.

A scoring machine at Brooks School, where she led the area with 30 goals as a senior, Marshall wasn't a big scorer with the Bears.

Until recently.

The former midfielder is now playing more forward.

She'd only scored in one of Brown's first 11 games, but has four goals and three assists in the last five games, including the game-winner in a 1-0 win over Holy Cross.

"We're having a great season," said Marshall, who leads the 10-4-2 Bears in goals with six and assists with three.

"When the team is playing well, it brings out the best in all of us individually. We play a 4-5-1 offense, the past few years I was outside on the wing and now I'm playing as the forward on top. ... I'm a forward at heart so I love playing there. But I'm happy to play wherever he needs me."

"Eliza has done a great job and her confidence level is high," said Pincince, who added there was an opportunity with the leading scorer having graduated.

"She's determined and focused. She's just getting it done. Doing exactly what she should be doing, developing."

The on-field success is a continuation of the offseason work.

"It's a lot of things," began the 35th-year head coach, who is the 13th-winningest coach in NCAA Division 1 history.

"She's one of our fittest players. That's a commitment. She's taken that to a new level. She's put in the time to work on her finishing skills, a lot of that isn't just with the team. She's committed. She knows what she wants. Every time on the field you will get 125 percent from her."

That commitment obviously extends to the classroom.

"I guess I've been that way my whole life," said Marshall, who was an AP Scholar and a class officer at Brooks, from where she graduated in the top five percent of the class.

"I think of school and soccer as two separate parts of my life. I want to be the best I can be at both. I definitely push myself but I try not to get crazy about it."

Her Brooks athletic and academic resume, which including a 2,310 on her SATs, enabled Marshall to quite possibly be able to attend any school in the country.

"I don't know anybody who doesn't love everything about Brown," she said.

"It's nice for my parents to come to my games. ... Providence is pretty small but there is plenty to do. I didn't want to be in the middle of nowhere."

Pincince said, "She had a million opportunities. It has to be the right fit. I knew it was the right fit. Regardless of all the schools after her, something about Brown was the right fit. I'm happy with the decision because we're 10-4-2 and she's my leading scorer!"

Terrier talk

Boston University senior back Katherine Donnelly of Londonderry (3.56, advertising) and junior midfielder Jessica Morrow of Andover (3.70, business management) made the America East All-Academic soccer team.

Both are starting and Donnelly, a transfer from Holy Cross, has three assists for the 17-2-1 Terriers.

Butler did it

Little East All-Academic team featured several local athletes from Plymouth State: sophomore field hockey player Amanda Butler from Newton (physical education) and women's soccer players senior Amy Green from Atkinson (physical education), senior Sammi Jo Saltalamacchia of Sandown (childhood studies) and sophomore Shannon Snively from Fremont (criminal justice).

Fab 15 for Pietrocarlo

Villanova redshirt freshman Chris Pietrocarlo of Hampstead placed 15th in 20:31 at the 110-runner, 4.0-mile Haverford Invitational.

The mechanical engineering major is a Big East Academic All-Star with a sparkling 3.92 GPA.

Wonderful Wolverine

Sophomore fullback Tori McCombs contributed two goals and two assists for the Michigan women's soccer team, which finished up at 9-8-2.

The ex-Londonderry star has started all 37 games in her college career.

Last fall she was a winner of the U-M Athletic Academic Achievement Award. Her former teammate, sophomore forward Kelley Griffin, saw action in all 17 games for 9-7-1 Miami.

Scholar-Athlete

Brandeis junior Alex Kramer of North Andover made the University Athletic Association Fall All-Academic team. He also placed 22nd out of 75 runners (26:40.10, 8K) at the league meet. ... Sophomore midfielder Ashley Adams of Methuen has seen action in 14 of 17 games for the James Madison field hockey team. ... Freshman forward Jillian Lane of Methuen has seen action in 11 of 17 games for the Johns Hopkins women's soccer game. She has one start and two assists.

Dyer straits

American University senior Tatum Dyer of Windham was the unanimous selection as the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year in field hockey.

It should come as no surprise as she was Defensive Player of the Week four times. Dyer, who also has a team-high six goals, is the ninth player in history (1990-present) to earn All-Patriot League honors four times.

Assist machine

Senior Carolyn Malloy of Windham has two goals and is second in the Colonial Athletic Association with 17 assists to help Northeastern field hockey to a 13-6 record.

She scored the game-winning goal in overtime to beat UMass, 2-1,

Redshirt freshman Tameka Geaslen of Andover is a reserve goalie for the Huskies and freshman midfielder Laura Dimitruk of Andover is redshirting.

To contribute information on a local college athlete, e-mail mmuldoon@eagletribune.com.

North Andover to Brown

NameSportGraduatedComment

Eliza Marshall is the latest North Andoverite to shine at Brown:

Bobby FarnhamHockey2012Team's lone assistant captain

Zak DeOssieFootball2007Two-time All-American

Sarah BroadheadRowing2003Two-time national champ

Amy BroadheadSoccer1998Co-captain, 3-year starter