DePaul University Athletics
Pagone, Goddard Awarded All-BIG EAST Honors
11/5/2010 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Nov. 5, 2010
CHICAGO, Ill. - Two of the scrappiest soccer players at DePaul were honored for their stellar seasons by the BIG EAST Conference on Friday.
Senior midfielder Lauren Pagone was selected for the All-BIG EAST Third Team while freshman forward Ashleigh Goddard was named to the All-BIG EAST Rookie Team.
Pagone had a breakout year in her final season, leading the team in goals with six and points with 13. Her four game-winning goals tied her for third in the BIG EAST.
Two of those game-winners were golden goals.
In a 2-1, double-overtime win over St. John's on Oct. 1, Pagone scored both goals. Her second double-OT score came in a 1-0 victory over Seton Hall on Oct. 10.
Goddard finished with two goals and three assists.
The rookie from London scored the game-winner in a 2-1 defeat of Syracuse on Oct. 3 in which her teammates piled on top of her inside the Syracuse goal.
"It feels great," said Pagone about the recognition. "It was sad when our season was over after losing to Marquette last Sunday.
"But suddenly getting this good news---it's a great ending to my career."
Pagone had to battle through some family adversity when her father Joe Pagone suffered a stroke in the middle of September.
"It was hard, especially the first couple of days," Lauren Pagone said. "But it did give me more motivation.
"I knew my dad would be so happy if I did well, and I wanted to make him proud of me. That was always in the back of my mind. I wanted to do my best for him and my mom (Jan Pagone).
"He is doing a lot better. He's at home and just finished his outpatient rehab."
DePaul coach Erin Chastain lauded the efforts from Pagone and Goddard.
"I am so incredibly proud of Lauren and her career at DePaul," Chastain said. "She is a wonderful example of someone who maximized her potential in our program.
"To be honored by the BIG EAST as one of the top 36 players in a very competitive 16-team conference is something Lauren deserves.
"Lauren went through a lot of adversity on a personal level, but no matter what, always gave her heart and soul to this team.
"She is a winner through and through, and we will miss her dearly."
As for Goddard, Chastain can hardly wait to see what the next three seasons will bring.
"I am so excited for the bright future Ashleigh has in our program," said the Blue Demons' coach. "She has had a tremendous amount of impact on our team in her first year with us, and we expect more to come over the course of her career.
"She is certainly very deserving of this honor as one of the top freshmen in our conference.
"It is exciting for our program to have individuals recognized for their performances. It is so difficult to stand out in a conference of our caliber that features so many of the top players in the country."
And now, Pagone and Goddard can take their place among the best.
"All the hard work our coaches put us through---everything came together," Pagone said. "I am so grateful and so lucky to be chosen for this honor and to have played soccer at DePaul."
