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Women's Soccer Alumni Spotlight
June 15, 2017 | Women's Soccer
Today we feature former standout Jessica Mello
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- This week's Alumni Spotlight features a former Cardinal defender, Jessica Mello. Mello played at Louisville from 2005-07 and was a true anchor on defense from the moment she stepped on campus.
The native of Cincinnati, Ohio grew up in a competitive household being one if six children.
Mello made an immediate impact into the starting lineup during her freshman season and never left starting all 19 games and leading the team in minutes played as she never left the pitch. As she continued into her sophomore season, she overcame an early season injury and played every minute of the final 18 games as a crucial member of one if the strongest back lines in Cardinal history. As a junior in 2007, she anchored the Cardinal defense that recorded a school record 12 shutouts on the season.
Mello saw no shortage of accolades during her time at UofL. She earned Big East Defensive Player of the Week honors her freshman season. As a junior she was earned third team All-Big East honors and was named to the Big East All-Tournament Team. She was also a SoccerBuzz's second team All-Region honoree.
Academically, during her time at UofL as an engineering student, Mello was a regular member on the AD Honor Roll, the Dean's List. She was also a Red and Black Scholar Athlete in 2005 and named a Big East Academic All Star in 2006.
Mello was an almost irreplaceable member of the defense during her time as a Cardinal and helped establish a strong defensive reputation for the Cards that sticks with the team to this day, leaving her mark on the soccer program at the University of Louisville.
The native of Cincinnati, Ohio grew up in a competitive household being one if six children.
Mello made an immediate impact into the starting lineup during her freshman season and never left starting all 19 games and leading the team in minutes played as she never left the pitch. As she continued into her sophomore season, she overcame an early season injury and played every minute of the final 18 games as a crucial member of one if the strongest back lines in Cardinal history. As a junior in 2007, she anchored the Cardinal defense that recorded a school record 12 shutouts on the season.
Mello saw no shortage of accolades during her time at UofL. She earned Big East Defensive Player of the Week honors her freshman season. As a junior she was earned third team All-Big East honors and was named to the Big East All-Tournament Team. She was also a SoccerBuzz's second team All-Region honoree.
Academically, during her time at UofL as an engineering student, Mello was a regular member on the AD Honor Roll, the Dean's List. She was also a Red and Black Scholar Athlete in 2005 and named a Big East Academic All Star in 2006.
Mello was an almost irreplaceable member of the defense during her time as a Cardinal and helped establish a strong defensive reputation for the Cards that sticks with the team to this day, leaving her mark on the soccer program at the University of Louisville.
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