As of September 26, the Beacons Women’s Soccer Team sits at 3-2-2, after a 1-2-2 star. Coming off of a Little East regular season title last year, they are hungry to get back into the NCAA Tournament, where they competed in 2012. Senior Krista Ledin is one of the reasons for their winning record, leading the team with four goals and nine points. Ledin credits the effort of the entire team for their recent success.
“[Our turnaround this season] is due to us being more confident as a team. I also believe that we are growing as a team and trusting each other more on the field,” she said.
“In the beginning it was tough since we have so many new players stepping up: it took time for everyone is learn how each one of us plays.”
In their last two games, the Beacons have outscored their opponents 7-0. Ledin was recently awarded the Little East Conference Player of the Week for the ninth time in her college career. She emphasizes that individual awards are not her goal.
“Every individual award that the LEC presents to my team or me is always an honor, but I am focused on a championship.”
Ledin is quick to credit the rest of her team and their successes. While she leads the team in goals, she highlighted the abilities of her teammates to create chances that have helped them to their winning record.
“Marina Kelly is a freshman that has really stepped up in the center. She is able to finish and create opportunities, which is what you need from that position,” Ledin said.
“She also has a strong leg, which makes sending long balls into the box possible.”
Ledin also credits the defense and their ability to help shutout their opponents in all three of their wins.
“Elisa Brooks, a transfer, has also been doing really well on the defensive line. She is fast, vocal, and very passionate about the sport. She will do anything to make sure the other team does not have a shot off.”
Ledin is no stranger to success as a Beacon. She and the Beacons are two-time reigning LEC regular season champions and won the conference tournament is 2012. The team also participated in the NCAA Division III Tournament in the same season. Her individual successes are remarkable themselves. Over her four year career, she has scored 85 goals and 22 assists while tallying 192 points. She holds all but one offensive record for Beacon women’s soccer in the single game, season, and career categories. Ledin is the reigning two-time LEC Offensive Player of the Year and was honored with the LEC Rookie of the Year award in 2011.
Knowing this is her last season as a Beacon, Ledin strives to win another championship to further cement her legacy as one of the greatest women’s soccer players in the history of the program. The moment is not lost on her, and she wants her success to be a symbol for future Beacon student athletes.
“It’s sad to think that this is my last season because UMass Boston is like my second home,” Ledin said. “I hope I leave a legacy that shows people to never give up on your goals. I want students to know that it is possible to play the sport you love and succeed at academics.”