The following was printed on The 1988 Women's Soccer Team's HOF plaque:
The 1988 women’s soccer team is the most successful team in the history of Siena Heights University women’s athletics. Coach Doug Mello’s club was the first Siena Heights team—men’s or women’s—to advance to a NAIA National Championship.
On their way to the 1988 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Tournament in Abilene, Texas, the Saints set several records; including a school-record 25 wins in a season. During their national tournament run, they became the first team in Siena Heights athletic history to be ranked #1 in the NAIA—a pinnacle no other Siena Heights women’s program has ever reached.
Coach Mello’s talented team captured NAIA District, Sub-Regional and Regional championships. With a 1-0 shutout victory over Berry College (Ga.), the Saints earned a 3rd-place finish at the NAIA National Championships. No other Siena Heights University women’s team in any sport has achieved a better national ranking or placing at a national tournament.
Their national tournament performance resulted in several individual honors in 1998. Team captain and midfielder Abby English earned 1st-Team NAIA All-American honors. Leading scorer Kelly Canino was named to the 1988 National Championship All-Tournament Team and was named a 2nd-Team All-American. Senior defender Lisa Broccardo was also named to the National Championship All-Tournament Team.
A school-record six athletes and one coach from the 1988 Saints’ women’s soccer team have been inducted into the Siena Heights University Athletic Hall of Fame.
