Nov. 22, 2005

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Eleni Benson, who helped anchor a Yale defense that yielded only 16 goals in 20 games, has been named to the 2005 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America first team. Benson, a senior from Willington, Conn., is a molecular biophysics and biochemistry major.

She started all 20 games on defense this fall and earned first team All-Ivy honors as the Bulldogs posted nine shutouts, which tied the school record. Her only goal of the season was the game-winner in overtime in Yale's 1-0 victory at St. John's.

Benson, the team captain, helped Yale to a memorable season. The Bulldogs won a school-record 15 games, captured their first Ivy League title since 1992 and advanced to the third round of the NCAA College Cup for the first time in school history.

Benson was one of only 13 players from across the nation selected to the Academic All-America team.

Report filed by Tim Bennett, Yale Sports Publicity