MEDFORD, MA (December 6, 2024) - Dynamic scoring threats
Elsi Aires and
Caroline Kelly were honored by the United Soccer Coaches this week, as the junior duo each were named to an All-America team this week, following their invaluable contributions to a record-breaking 14-4-1 season. Aires was named to the All-America second team, while Kelly picked up a spot on the All-America third team.
Aires finished the season as the top goalscorer in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) for the second year in a row. She led the Jumbos and the league with 11 goals scored, including six goals against conference competition. Aires also led the conference in shots with 67, and finished with four game-winning goals. Her highlight moment came in a tight contest at Amherst College, where Aires fired the game-winner in the final minute of play from a commendable distance. She also scored the game winner against Rowan University in the NCAA Tournament.
Kelly was an instrumental piece of an incredible Tufts midfield. Playing both sides of the ball with ease, the junior was a lethal goalscoring threat as well as a backbreaking playmaker. Kelly scored six goals and added four assists to finish third on the team in scoring. She scored the game winner versus Colby, and iced the game in an upset win over the then-number two ranked MIT Engineers with a free kick goal. She assisted the game winner at Bates and versus Bridgewater State, and had an excellent postseason despite not ending up on the scoresheet.
Aires and Kelly are the 15th and 16th All-America selections in Tufts program history, and are two of the youngest All-America winners this season. Of the 48 selections, only 11 were juniors. Kelly is the only junior on the All-America third team, and Aires second team honors is the second All-America honors of her career at Tufts.
Tufts finished the season with a 14-4-1 record, while finishing with the most goals scored in program history (52).
Congratulations
Elsi Aires and
Caroline Kelly on their United Soccer Coaches All-American team selections!
--JUMBOS--
