University of New Haven Athletics

A four-year team captain, Mireille DeRose-Esponda’s Charger career began when women’s soccer made its debut at the varsity level in 1993. She immediately starred in the midfield helping New Haven compile an impressive 39-26-3 record over the next four years.

During the 1993 season, DeRose-Esponda tallied six goals and three assists for 15 points, as the team went 6-8-0 in its first varsity campaign. The following season, both her play and the team’s play improved as Mireille registered 10 goals and six assists, as she had three two-goal games and scored two hat tricks. That season the Chargers upped their record to 8-9-0.

Her finest individual season came in 1995 when she netted 14 goals and had five assists for 33 points, as the team improved its record to 12-4-2. In that season, DeRose-Esponda, a junior, was named team MVP and earned All-New England Collegiate Conference honors and was selected to two All-Region teams.

In her senior season, Mireille closed out her career ranking third on the team in scoring with seven goals and three assists for 17 points. The 1996 UNH team posted a 13-5-1 overall record and made the program’s first-ever postseason appearance, as the Chargers advanced to the ECAC Tournament. She was selected to the New England Senior Bowl, where she helped the side she captained to a victory by scoring a goal.

DeRose-Esponda, a pioneer in UNH women’s soccer, finished her standout career with 37 goals and added 19 assists for a total of 91 points. Mireille remains among the top in all three major statistical categories, currently fourth all-time in points and goals and fifth in assists. She is also among the top-10 in the single season records for all three categories.