Nov. 7, 2002

Duquesne University's Lauren Bracco (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hallow Hills West) has been named a 2002 District II Verizon Women's Soccer Academic All-America second team honoree. She is one of 22 Division I student-athletes from Pennsylvania, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia to be selected.

Bracco, a junior, earns her first Verizon Academic All-America honor. She boasts a 3.74 grade point average in physical therapy and earned a perfect 4.00 last spring semester.

The 2002 second team All-Atlantic 10 pick is a three-year starter and was second for the Dukes with 11 points and three assists. She netted four goals which included game winning scores vs. Robert Morris, Youngstown State and St. Bonaventure. Bracco took 23 shots on goal and was named an Atlantic 10 Player of the Week once this season.

She has been named to the Dean's List, Director of Athletics' and Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Rolls each semester. Bracco reigned as the 2000 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year and was a second team All-Conference pick that year as well.

To be eligible for the Verizon award, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore at their institution, be a starter or important reserve and have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 scale).

Bracco joins the Dukes' Terry McNelis, Jason Kutney and Christian Reinecker who were named to the men's soccer District II team as well. Each will now appear on the National ballot which will be released at the month's end.

The Verizon Academic All-America soccer teams are the first of 12 that will be selected this academic year.