Heading into the 2007 season, Nicole Bondellio held one of the three major women’s soccer career records at Keuka College.

She now holds all three, completing the trifecta by notching her 45^th career goal Oct. 6 in a 6-1 win over Penn State-Harrisburg. The previous mark was held by Julie Deboover Peacock, a 1989 graduate who was inducted into the Keuka College Athletics Hall of Fame last month.

No doubt Bondellio will join Peacock there in a few years.

Bondellio broke Peacock's points record earlier this season—she now has 129—and broke the assists record last season—she has 39. The consummate team player, Bondellio is most proud of the assists record.

“Every time someone mentions my 39 assists, I can’t help but think that means 39 times someone else has put the ball in the net,” said Bondellio, a senior from Watkins Glen.

“Nicole is a very skilled player, but she also always involves the team; she makes everyone around her better,” said Coach Jamie Burke.

In 10 games this season, Bondellio has 13 goals, 8 assists, and 34 points. Keuka is 8-2 on the campaign and one of the favorites to win the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) championship.

Bondellio was the NEAC MVP in 2004 and a first team all-conference pick her first first three years at Keuka. She is a lock to make it 4-for-4.

Just as impressive as her soccer exploits, is her work in the classroom. She holds down a 3.7 GPA and has been named to the Dean’s List every semester since the spring of 2005. In addition, she is a member of four honor societies: National Honor Society, Sigma Lambda Sigma, Chi Beta Phi, and Sigma Tau Delta.

An English major with a concentration in creative writing and a minor in psychology, Bondellio loves to write. Many of her works can be found in the Red Jacket, an annual publication that showcases the creative writing talents of Keuka students. During the summer of 2007 she was a member of the Torn Page Writer’s Group, a volunteer group for teens interested in creative writing.  

Bondellio takes part in myriad community service projects. In December she will be a part of Americorp, a network of programs that connects more than 70,000 Americans each year to meet our country’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. She took part in the Bowl for Kids Sake in 2006 and during the summer helps out in the children’s department of her at her local library. She is a BOCES summer learning junior, working with at-risk kids in SteubenCounty area. Bondellio has also interned at the CAVA Rape/Abuse Crisis Center.

On top of having a busy schedule of classes, community service and soccer practices and games, she finds time to hold down a work-study job in the registrar's office and serves as a writing tutor. Whenever she gets some time to herself, which is not often, she likes to play video games (Xbox) and is teaching herself to play guitar.  

Bondellio has played soccer since she was 4-years-old.  When she was younger, her family moved a lot due to her father’s position in the Army; Japan, New York, Oklahoma, and Norway are some of the places where she put her soccer talents to the test.

Bondellio was a multi-sport athlete at CorningWestHigh School; she played basketball and lacrosse as well soccer. She was a member of the varsity soccer squad for four years and earned all-league and league MVP honors.

That drew the attention of many colleges. She was recruited by SUNY Geneseo, Nazareth, SUNY Brockport and, of course, Keuka.  

She said her most memorable game took place Sept. 30, 2006. And it wasn’t because she set a record. The opponent was Chestnut Hill and the score was tied in overtime. Time was winding down and Bondellio stripped the ball away from an attacker.

“I remember dribbling through at least half of the team, and scoring the game-winning goal,” said Bondellio. “It was like a movie; that was cool.”

-- Anthony Affissio '08