ST. PAUL, Minn. – Throughout the duration of the spring semester, cspbears.com will feature its spring senior student-athletes who had their careers cut short due to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), providing a glimpse into their past, present and future to our followers who were unable to see them compete in 2020.
Due to the ongoing changing legislation with college athletics related to the COVID-19 pandemic, spring student-athletes are expected to retain a year of eligibility. Some of the CSP seniors have expressed interest in returning for the 2020-21 academic year with the goal of competing for their full senior year. Since it's early in the process, cspbears.com will not differentiate between seniors who will and won't return and instead will profile each senior consistently.
As part of a large senior class, our next senior spotlight is lacrosse student-athlete
Alina Boyce, a business management major and marketing minor. The Hopkins High School graduate has been one of the top attackers in the program throughout her career, firing 111 shots as a freshman and 119 shots last year as a junior - the top two marks for a season in program history, leading to the career record of 350 shot attempts and 243 shots on goal. While her aggressive nature in attacking the net was present on day one and an early key for the program's immediate competitiveness in the inaugural season, Boyce refined her game and improved her efficiency while continuing to attack at a high volume, resulting in a program record 70 points, tying for second in single season history with 51 goals and 19 assists as a junior, earning All-GLIAC Second Team honors at the attack position while leading CSP to an 11-7 record, including being named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week.
In addition to holding the shot records, Boyce ranks first in team history with 26 career free position goals, second in points (174), goals (127) and assists (47) while playing in 54 of a possible 57 games while starting 49 times in four years.
Her senior year was another strong pace with 25 points on 18 goals and seven assists through seven games, leading the team across the board. She was ranked second in the league in points while ranking third in both goals and shots (36), which came with the 61st ranking in the nation in points and 78th in goals.
She became the first player in team history to reach 50 goals and 70 points in a single season, holds the school record with the program's only 10-point performance in a game against Ashland (4/18/19) and is tied for second in single game goals (6, four times) and assists (4, vs Ashland, 4/18/19).
She's been a part of a program that has produced a 31-26 all-time record and was a starter on the 2019 team that produced team records in overall wins (11), GLIAC wins (7) and qualified for the postseason for the first time, hosting and winning its GLIAC Tournament first round contest to reach the semifinals.
Head coach Joe Nelson on Alina Boyce:
"Alina dominated the right side of the field as a prolific left goal scorer. Her confidence and goal-scorer mentality always gave her the edge against opponents. Alina's leadership and ability to flip the switch on the offensive side of the ball was incredible to have and will be greatly missed."
ALINA BOYCE - IN HER OWN WORDS
CSP: At what age did you start playing your sport?
AB: 13 years old
CSP: Why did you choose to attend Concordia?
AB: Lacrosse
CSP: What is your favorite memory as a Golden Bear?
AB: Being able to play with my best friends.
CSP: What will you miss most about CSP?
AB: Being able to see all my friends, teammates and coaches everyday.
CSP: What are your plans after graduation?
AB: Get a job.
CSP: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
AB: Hopefully with a job.
CSP: Who is a staff or faculty member at Concordia that left an imprint on your experience?
AB: (Former head coach) Heather Coppola
CSP: Who is your role model?
AB: My dad
CSP: What life lessons did you learn as an athlete on your CSP team?
AB: It's over faster than you want it to be and to enjoy all the little moments and to do everything with a good attitude.
CSP: What advice would you give to an incoming freshman about their time at CSP?
AB: Enjoy it before it's over.
CSP: What CSP athlete from a different program do you admire and why?
AB: Jordyn Clark - kid is a straight beauty and an all-around amazing person inside and out.
