Sanaú Ruiz Selected to 2017 NEWISA Senior Bowl

Graphic featuring Lyons soccer player, Sara Sanau Ruiz, who was selected to compete in the New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association Senior Bowl on December 3rd.

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – Mount Holyoke College senior forward Sara Sanaú Ruiz has been selected to participate and represent the Lyons at the 2017 New England Women's Intercollegiate Soccer Association (NEWISA) Senior Bowl, which will be held at Merrimack College on Sunday, December 3rd at 2:00 p.m. One of seven players from the NEWMAC selected for the team, Sanaú Ruiz is the second straight Lyon to be selected for the Senior Bowl, following in the footsteps of 2016 selection, Zoe Marshall.

A native of Zaragoza, Spain, Sanaú Ruiz led the Lyons offensively for the third straight year, scoring six goals with two assists for 22 points. She also recorded top marks in game-winning goals (2), shots (44) and shots on goal (26). Among the NEWMAC-best, she ranked 13th overall in goals scored, while also earning 19th in points. Highlighting her senior season was a two goal performance in helping the Lyons defeat Albertus Magnus on the road by a 6-1 margin.

Last season, the former P.P. Dominicos - Cardenal Xavierre High School standout posted a NEWMAC-best 12 assists on the year. She added five goals for a team-high 22 points. Sanaú Ruiz also recorded top marks in shots (52) and shots on goal (25). Additionally, she ranked 16th in Division III with a 0.67 assists per contest average. She was also 19th among the nation's best in total assists.

During the season, Sanaú Ruiz posted at least one assist in seven games, including her four-assist game to open the season against Southern Vermont. She led the NEWMAC in assists, while ranking fourth in points. Additionally, she notched a team-best four goals in conference play.

Sanaú Ruiz also earned NEWMAC Offensive Player of the Week once during the 2016 campaign and was a repeat selection to the NEWMAC All-Conference First Team. In addition to her outstanding play, she also recorded several program milestones, including most assists in a season (12) and assists per game in a season (.67).  

As a first year, Sanaú Ruiz started in all 19 games, recording 15 goals and an assist for a team-best 31 points. The forward finished with 87 shots, 41 on goal. She also led the team in a number of categories, including goals, game-winning goals, points, shots, and shots on goal.  

Sanaú Ruiz scored all three goals for the Lyons in a 3-1 win over Rensselaer and posted two goals, including the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Bryn Mawr College. Also highlighting her rookie season in 2015 was the game winning goal in a 3-2 win over Western New England, as well as the lone goal in a 1-0 victory against Clark. Sanaú Ruiz finished second in the NEWMAC for goals, third in points, and third for shots in 2015. She was also named the NEWMAC Offensive Performer of the Week on September 28th and was later tabbed to the NEWMAC All-Conference First Team.

Mount Holyoke finished the season with a record of 2-14-2 overall and went 0-9-1 in NEWMAC play.