BOSTON, MA – Senior Alyssa Dunn (Standish, Maine/Bonny Eagle), a standout two-sport student-athlete studying Pre-Medicine at Saint Joseph's College, has been named as the 2011 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Woman of the Year.

"I have been extremely blessed with experiences in the classroom, on the athletic fields, and throughout the communities that have transformed me into the individual I am today," Dunn said. "I attribute most of who I've become to my experiences on the athletic fields [where I have] garnered principles of integrity and sportsmanship from gratifying victories and humbling losses alike."

Dunn is the second Saint Joseph's athlete to be selected as the GNAC Woman of the Year, as she joins former women's soccer standout Jillian Leger '08, the 2008 honoree, on the prestigious list.

By earning the GNAC Woman of the Year honor, Dunn is now a candidate for NCAA Woman of the Year. According to NCAA.org, the award "honors graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, community service and leadership

The top ten finalists from Division III will be named by the NCAA in August. The national winner will be announced at the Woman of the Year Awards Dinner in the fall.

A two-sport athlete, four-year starter and captain of the softball and field hockey programs at St. Joe's, Dunn has played in a remarkable 241 athletic contests in her collegiate career. During her four years, she has led her teams to a 178-74 (.706) combined record. She capped her athletic career by helping the 2011 GNAC Champion SJC softball team advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.

Dunn made SJC Athletics history in a number of ways this season, including being the first individual from Saint Joseph's to receive a Capital One Softball Academic All-America accolade. The senior Biology/Pre-Medicine major with a 3.84 grade point average has performed well not only on the field but also in the classroom. She earned Capital One Softball All-District honors in each of the last three seasons and received the prestigious Capital One Softball Academic Second Team All-America honor to top off her senior season.

In each of the past three years, Dunn has garnered GNAC Academic All-Conference, NAC Academic All-Conference and National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-Academic Team accolades.

In her softball career, Dunn batted .382 (191-500) with 78 runs, 44 doubles, 13 home runs and 123 RBI in 163 games. She finished her career ranked second in team history in games and hits, third in at bats and home runs, and fourth in doubles and RBI. She garnered a trifecta of All-GNAC accolades, including First Team honors as a senior when she hit .384 (58-151) with 28 runs, 11 doubles, six home runs and 34 RBI.

In four field hockey seasons, Dunn played in 78 games with eight goals, 23 assists and five defensive saves as one of the Monks' top defenders. She currently stands as the program's all-time leader in games played and ranks fourth in both assists and defensive stops. A two-time All-NAC honoree, Dunn gained First Team mention after recording two goals, six assists and five defensive saves as one of the elite defenders in the conference her senior year.

Her performance in softball and field hockey did not go unnoticed, and this year as one of the finest athletes at Saint Joseph's, Dunn was selected as the college's Female Student-Athlete of the Year and also garnered Co-Female Athlete of the Year honors at the 2011 SJC Athletic Awards Banquet in late April.

A true big-game performer, Dunn was selected to the All-Tournament team a pair of times in each of her sports and collected 2011 NCAA Providence Regional All-Tournament honors after hitting .539 (7-13) with four runs, four RBI, a double and two home runs in four national tourney tilts.

A stellar student, talented athlete and an active member of the community, Dunn is a long-time volunteer of "Kids Night Out", "Women in Sports Day", and the "Sock Drive for the Homeless". She has volunteered as a Saint Joseph's orientation leader, helped with the Red Cross, and spent time raising funds for malnourished children. As part of the St. Joe's campus, she also has served as a medical microbiology tutor and student-athlete tour guide as well.

The GNAC would also like to congratulate the honorable mention candidates for the Woman of the Year award, who have shown leadership on the field, in the classroom and in the community:

 Kathy Andrade- Emerson College- Basketball

 Molly Rice- Norwich University- Volleyball

 Annie Thompson- Simmons College- Softball