CHANDLER, Ariz. – The 2016 Longstreth/NFHCA Division III All-America Teams have been announced and Mount Holyoke College student-athlete Ruvimbo Mushavi was recognized. The senior captain was tabbed to the Third Team for the second straight season.
A defender out of Harare, Zimbabwe, Mushavi served as a constant and powerful defensive presence for a Lyons squad that allowed just 30 goals on the season. MHC ranked second in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) in save percentage (.773), while also finishing 46th among the Division III national leaders in goals against average (1.54).
Additionally, the former Arundel School standout also helped the Lyons rank fourth in the conference in defensive saves with eight, half of which she recorded (4). Among her top efforts included key defensive stops in a 2-1 win over Springfield, as well as a 3-2 victory at Westfield State.
As a junior, Mushavi was once again a leader on the Lyons' blueline, helping the team record a conference-best 168 saves on the season, as well as eight defensive saves. That mark also led in the conference standings. MHC also ranked 14th and 18th in save percentage and goals against average amongst all Division III schools for the 2015 season.
Mushavi played a critical role in the Lyons success during the 2015 NEWMAC Tournament, leading a backline that surrendered just two goals. She also scored the game-winning goal in MHC's 1-0 double-overtime win against Babson in the Semifinals. Mushavi was named an All-Conference and All-Region First Team honoree for her efforts.
As a sophomore, Mushavi started all 21 games, helping to lead a Lyons defense that allowed just 1.03 goals per game and just 22 goals. A NEWMAC Defensive Player of the Week , she was also an All-Conference Second Team honoree and a Second Team selection to the All-Region squad.
During her first year, Mushavi started all 21 games, recording a NEWMAC-best 11 defensive saves. She was also a two-time Defensive Player of the Week selection.
A three-time NFHCA New England All-Region Team selection, Mushavi started all 83 games of her four-year career. She notched one goal, while also recording 16 defensive saves. She was a three-time All-Conference selection, including First Team in 2015 and 2016.
Mushavi was one of four student-athletes named All-America from the NEWMAC as Babson saw two named to the First Team, while Mount Holyoke and MIT saw one player each on the Third Team. In total, 48 student-athletes representing 34 different schools were named to this year's teams. The squad consisted of 30 seniors, 12 juniors and six sophomores. Twelve schools had multiple student-athletes on the All-America Team
Mount Holyoke concluded its 2016 season with a 12-7 overall record. The Lyons finished 5-3 in the NEWMAC, advancing to the conference tournament for the 18th straight season. MHC bested Wellesley in the NEWMAC Quarterfinals, advancing to the Semifinals for the fourth straight season. Despite a solid effort, the Lyons shouldered a 1-0 loss to nationally-ranked Babson, who went on to with the NEWMAC Championship.
