All-American: Women’s soccer’s Astrid Kempainen ’15 named to Division III first team

Astrid Kempainen ’15
Astrid Kempainen ’15

Women’s soccer player Astrid Kempainen ’15, a center midfielder, has been named a first team Division III All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Kempainen, who helped lead the team to its first New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Championship win last month, tallied 20 points with a league-best 10 assists during her senior campaign. Three of her five goals on the season were game-winners. She was recognized as the 2014 NESCAC Player of the Year in November, making her only the second Camel, along with Christa Thoeresz '05 (2002), to earn the honor.

Kempainen is the Camels' first women's soccer player to earn All-America honors since Connecticut College Athletic Hall of Famer Kim An Hernandez '99 was named to the team in 1998.

"The First Team All-America recognition is a fitting honor for Astrid," said Connecticut College Women's Soccer Coach Norm Riker, the 2014 NESCAC and NSCAA New England Regional Coach of the Year. “She is looked up to and beloved by her teammates. During her four seasons at Connecticut College, she has been the team leader and our most consistent player.

“She saved her best season for last — NECSAC player of the year, a career high 20 points, a NESCAC Championship, 16 wins, an NCAA appearance and now an All-American," he added.

Kempainen credits the team, coaches and fans for all of their support.

"Being named as an All-American is such an honor and is truly a testament to the team and the coaching staff as a whole," she said. "Without my teammates and coaches, I would not have been able to achieve everything that I did this year. This award is an incredible way to close out my career as a Camel."

In the classroom, Kempainen, a biology major, has excelled as a Dean's Honors student. She was recently honored on the CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-District Team and was also named to the NESCAC Fall All-Academic Team.

Kempainen’s 2014 Honors

  • NESCAC Player of the Week
  • Capital One/CoSIDA All District 2 Team
  • NESCAC Player of the Year
  • NESCAC All-Sportsmanship Team
  • NESCAC All-Academic Team
  • NSCAA/Continental Tire All-New England Region Team
  • NSCAA/Continental Tire All-America First Team


December 10, 2014