"Alyssa is a first-class defender and an unbelievable competitor. She is the best defender in her age group in the country in my opinon," commented Long Island Fury Director of Football Paul Riley. "She is strong, quick, ruthless in the tackle. She also understands the game very well and is tactically well beyond her years. She is tremendous in the air, cool, calm and collected on the floor."

Pember, now 20, was named to the Women's Premier Soccer League All-Playoff Team in leading the Long Island Fury to the national championship in 2006 while marking much older forwards. She was also named the Eastern Conference Co-Player of the Year in leading the Fury to the 2009 national title.

Currently a sophomore at Boston College, she was named in 2008 to the All-American Freshman first team, All-Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman team, Northeast Region second-team, Northeast Region All-Freshman team and the All-ACC Academic women's soccer team. The Northport resident majors in Human Development and Special Education.

In the Long Island Junior Soccer League, Pember played for the Smithtown ISA Stampede and East Meadow ISA Dynamite and then starred for the Albertson Fury '89, coached by Paul Riley. She has also worn the red, white and blue of the United States National Youth Teams from the Under 14 to Under 18 age groups.

"I firmly believe that some day Alyssa will represent the USA in the World Cup," concluded Riley.