Hall of Athletic Honor
Wendy Elles was a defensive star during the women’s soccer team’s ascension as a conference power.
Elles seized a starting spot from the moment she stepped onto the soccer pitch at Gettysburg. As a freshman, she garnered the first of four consecutive first-team all-conference selections and she was tagged all-region after helping the Bullets win a dozen matches.
In 1993, Gettysburg began its tenure in the Centennial Conference. The Bullets won a school-record 16 matches, captured the conference title, and appeared in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time. She turned in a career-high 11 points the following season and paced the team to a record 10 shutouts. Gettysburg repeated as the Centennial champ and scored a victory over Randolph-Macon in the opening round of the national tournament.
Following the loss of seven all-conference performers from the previous season, Elles carried the team in 1995. She was the first defensive player to gain national recognition after earning All-America Third Team honors and was tabbed CC Player of the Year, All-Mid-Atlantic Region First Team, and All-CC First Team. She closed her career with 10 goals and 10 assists while leading the defense to 28 shutouts in 70 matches.
A native of North Branford, Conn., Elles graduated from Gettysburg with a degree in sociology.
