Blanford '15 Hired as Assistant Coach for Women's Soccer

AURORA, N.Y. – Shannon Blanford '15 has been hired as the Assistant Coach for the Wells College women's soccer team, Head Coach Mara Primmer announced earlier this month. Blanford recently wrapped up a four-year career with the Express and graduates as one of the most successful players in team history.

"We are thrilled to have Shannon on our staff," remarked Primmer. "Her skill, leadership and character will be very helpful in developing our players and our team concepts."

"I am thankful for the opportunity to come back and help my former team," said Blanford. "I am excited to see how far the team can go. Since the preseason, we have continued to refine our skills and I am eager to see the team improve as the season progresses."

Blanford, who graduated this past May with a bachelor's degree in Biology, played both women's soccer and softball during her tenure in Aurora. To cap off her prestigious athletic career at Wells, she was the recipient of the John D. Wilson–Ralph H. Poole, Jr. Award, issued to the member of the senior class who, in the spirit of a liberal arts education, has made a distinguished contribution during his or her four years to the Wells College Department of Athletics.

In her women's soccer career, Blanford tied the all-time program record for games played (72) and set the team record for games started (72) and has tallied the second-most career points of any Wells player in the modern era, dating back to 1986. She has scored 30 goals and tallied 21 assists for 81 points (30-21=81). As a freshman in 2011, she scored 14 goals, tallied 10 assists for 38 points (14-10=38), and concluded season ranked 43rd in the country in points per game (2.11) and 49th amongst all Division III athletes with 38 total points on the season.

Her team's Rookie of the Year in 2011, Blanford is a three-time NEAC Scholar-Athlete and has tied Seyda Akyuz '11 for the most academic awards from the conference. She was also the College's first-ever Capital One Academic All-District selection in 2013, winning the prestigious award for the second time as a senior. Blanford was also voted as team captain as a junior and a senior.

As a senior captain, Blanford was a key cog in the Wells midfield in 2014 as the team posted 81 total points of offense, the most dating back to the 2012 season. She struck for one goal and four assists for six points and contributed greatly to one of the most improved Wells defenses in recent memory. Wells' team goals-against average of 2.78 was the lowest in nearly three seasons.

Outside of the soccer field, Blanford was also a member of the softball team as a freshman. Collecting 24 hits in 80 at-bats, she accumulated a .300 batting average and collected seven extra-base hits. She was also a perfect 11-for-11 in stolen bases en route to earning her team's Rookie of the Year honor in two separate sports as a freshman.