2014 (SENIOR):
Played and started all 16 games at attacking central midfielder … scored one goal and three assists for five points on the year … totaled 21 shots, placing nine on frame … scored the Islanders’ third and final goal against Texas Southern (8/24) … assisted on both the Islanders’ goals in a 2-0 win over Central Arkansas (9/26) … set up Alyssa Miller’s goal against Sam Houston State (10/24) … registered three shots in the game against Houston Baptist (10/26), putting one on frame … put two of her four shots on mark against Northwestern State (11/2).
2013 (JUNIOR):
Played in 17 games, making 11 starts … played mostly at center attacking midfield … registered 12 shots on the season, putting three on frame … nine of her 12 shots came during conference play … was assessed one yellow card on the year … twice tallied three shots in a game, at Lamar (10/13) and at SHSU (10/25).
UNIVERSITY OF BRIDGEPORT (2011-12):
Played two years at Bridgeport … appeared in 13 games for the Purple Knights in 2012 … posted a goal and an assist on the season … appeared 11 times in 2011, scoring a goal …was a member of the Dean's List her first year on campus.
HIGH SCHOOL/PREP:
Played for Westhill High School under Dave Flower … netted 12 goals and added 21 assists in her senior year … helped team to a state championship in 2009 and a runner-up finish in 2010 … was a two-time All-Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference selection … played club soccer for Connecticut FC under Dave Flower and Magnus Nilerud … was the team MVP in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
PERSONAL:
Aulona Velaj was born on Dec. 7, 1992, in Kosovo … daughter of Binake and Mhill Velaj … has four siblings – Simon, Nol, Linda and Furtuna … was invited to play for the Albanian National Team in 2012 and 2013 and is fluent in Albanian … intends to major in dental hygiene at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Caldwell on Velaj:
"Aulona is talented in 1-v-1 situations. Isolated on the outside, she has the potential to be very dangerous, and that will make her an asset offensively."
