Pilgrim graduates Talia D’Ambruoso and Erica Hammond have reached the end of their respective soccer careers, but not before achieving much-deserved recognition for their exploits on the pitch.

Both players, who have spent the last four autumns competing for UMass-Dartmouth, were recently named to the All-Little East first team in honor of their fine senior campaigns for the Corsairs.

Hammond, a defender who was a holdover from the 2015 team, earned her place courtesy of several performances where she effectively marked opposing forwards out of the game.

Her play helped the UMass-Dartmouth eleven keep six clean sheets throughout the fall, including league victories over UMass-Boston and Plymouth State.

She also contributed in the offensive third for the Corsairs, chalking up a pair of assists, her first and only at the collegiate level.

D’Ambruoso was selected as a midfielder, and she was one of the key contributors to the UMass-Dartmouth attack this season, as evidenced by her four goals and team-high 35 shots on target.

The former Patriot had a knack for coming up clutch, picking up equalizers against Smith and Bridgewater State that enabled the Corsairs to eke out 1-1 draws in both games.

D’Ambruoso finishes her time with the UMass-Dartmouth eleven with 15 career goals and eight assists, achieving career highs in 2015 with six in both categories.

McGrath, Leopards compete in D-III NCAA Tournament

Toll Gate alumna Grace McGrath was in action last weekend as Wentworth participated in the Division III NCAA tournament, earning their place by virtue of winning the school’s first Commonwealth Coast Conference title in women’s soccer.

The Leopards took the crown on Nov. 5, picking up a pair of goals in each half to sweep aside Gordon 4-0 and extending the team’s shutout streak to five matches.

In last Saturday’s first round encounter against 21st-ranked Arcadia, a 51st minute Emily Richard goal proved to be the difference-maker as Wentworth topped the Knights 1-0.

It proved to be another historic day for the Leopards, as the triumph marked the first time in program history that a nationally-ranked opponent was defeated on the soccer pitch.

The following day, the Leopards accepted a stern challenge from regional host Williams, who entered proceedings with a 27-match unbeaten run dating back to last season.

In the end, the Ephs extended their streak thanks to a 1-0 victory, but not before a stout defensive effort from the Wentworth back guard in which they largely withstood a 27-shot, 10-corner kick barrage from the third-ranked team in the nation.

McGrath came off the bench in both tournament matches, finishing the campaign with 16 substitute appearances and a pair of goals in a 7-2 Oct. 19 demolition of Eastern Nazarene to her name.