April 20, 2007

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - For the second-straight year, the Richmond women's soccer team proved their commitment to academics, life skills and leadership, coming out on top off all other Richmond sports to win the A.L.L. (Academics, Life Skills, Leadership) competition.

In one of the Spiders' many community adventures, Kristen Stalter and Kristin Runey enjoy shopping for school supplies with a little girl in the YMCA Bright Beginnings

The Richmond student-athletes competed this year not only against other schools, but against each other, in their second A.L.L. Competition. The purpose of the A.L.L. Competition is to continue to develop student-athletes beyond the playing field, while representing their teams.

Students had the opportunity to receive points in five different categories, including Leadership, Personal and Team Enhancement, Community Outreach, Academics, Athletes Supporting Athletes and Above and Beyond.

Points were earned, both individually and as a team, by attending different events offered to the student-athletes throughout the school year, whether it was attending other sporting events or participating in community outreach events.

Head coach Peter Albright was extremely proud of his team for winning the competition for the second-straight year.

Every year, the Spiders take off their cleats and lift a hand to help the freshmen move in on moving day.

"The A.L.L. competition has evolved into an athletic department-wide effort to support each other, achieve academically and perform meaningful service work in the Richmond community," stated Albright. "While the women's soccer team "won" this year, all of the teams at Richmond went above and beyond, in many different ways, to aspire to excellence and positively affect the lives of others."

While the women's soccer team took the lead in the competition, the football and field hockey squad followed in a close second and third.

"Our players have a deep understanding of the importance of selfless service; of being "givers". The things that we did along the way were fun and tremendously rewarding. I am, as always, very proud of these young women."

Some women's soccer A.L.L. highlights from the year:

• Bid for Champions Auction
• Trick or Treat for Hunger Food Drive
• Salvation Army Angel Tree
• Pen Pal Program
• Helped freshmen move into the dorms
• Coached for Richmond Kickers
• Participated in Bright Beginnings YMCA where it helped YMCA kids shop for back-to-school supplies
• Carter Blair volunteered at Overby Sheppard Middle every Tuesday
• The Spiders ran in the Monument 10K race, raising money for the Massey Cancer Center
• Three players assisted in New Orleans Disaster relief trip
• Spider Club Thank-a-thon - players called supporters of the athletic department to thank them for their donations and support
• Emily Souleret volunteered at orphanage in Jamaica during month of January
• The team adopted a 7th grader with leukemia
• Participated in date auction