Paul Smith's College Student Athletes Earn All-Conference Honors
The Paul Smith's College men's soccer, women's soccer, volleyball, men's cross-country, and women's cross-country teams all had players that were selected to be members of the 2022 Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) All-Conference Team at the Conference Championships last weekend. A total of 13 student athletes representing 5 athletic teams were chosen as the the best of the best in the YSCC for the fall 2022 season.
Men's Soccer
Steven Donnelly received both the YSCC Player of the Year and YSCC Goalkeeper of the Year honors for his stellar season in net for the Bobcats. Donnelly finished the season ranked #1 in save % and goals against average, and #2 in saves and goals against. He also ranks top-5 in the USCAA in saves, save %, and goals against average.
Noel Diaz was also chosen as a member of the YSCC All-Conference Team for his solid play in the middle for Paul Smith's College and ability to control play from both sides of the ball. Diaz finished the season with 6 goals and 2 assists.
Women's Soccer
Sophomore striker Hayleigh Gates, coming off one of the greatest freshman campaigns in Paul Smith's College soccer history (she was named as the USCAA Player of the Year for Women's DII Soccer last season), continued to add to her trophy case as she was awarded YSCC Player of the Year. Gates scored 9 goals and added 2 assists for 20 points.
Anna Thrasher was dominant in net all season, leading the YSCC in saves, save %, and goals against average. For her efforts, she was chosen as Goalkeeper of the Year in the YSCC. She currently leads the entire nation in goals against average, is 2nd in the nation in save %, and 3rd in the nation in goals against. She also added an impressive 7 shutouts on the season.
Katrien Roefs was named to the All-Conference Team due to her ability in the midfield as a powerful defender who also has developed as a fantastic playmaker. Roefs finished the season with 6 goals and 2 assists.
Jamey Roy rounds out the All-Conference selections for the women's soccer team as a center back who intimidates opposing offenses with her physicality and speed. Roy was a shutdown defenseman for the Bobcats, anchoring a defense that allowed just 9 goals in 14 games.
Men's Cross-Country
Freshman Philip Matthews was named to YSCC All-Conference Team, scoring some important points through the fall semester and leading the Bobcats in the YSCC Championships last weekend in Concord, NH with a 3rd place finish.
Another freshman named to the YSCC All-Conference team was Ryan Chiari for his prowess on the trails, leading the Bobcats in fastest times on numerous occasions throughout the season. He finished in 7th place for the Bobcats at the YSCC Championships.
Logan Krahn rounds out the YSCC All-Conference selections for the Paul Smith's College men's cross-country team. The sophomore from Salem, NH helped the Bobcats to a 1st place finish in the YSCC Championships in 6th place.
Women's Cross-Country
Wesley Burkit was a dominating force all season for the Paul Smith's College women's cross-country team, winning multiple races in addition to being named YSCC Runner of the Week. Burkit placed 2nd at the YSCC Championships to help the Bobcats to a 2nd place team finish.
Ellen Haas was the other selection as a representative of the YSCC All-Conference Team, running her way to a 3rd place finish in the YSCC Championships. A solid runner all year, she helped the Bobcats win 2nd place in the Championships.
Volleyball
Alexandra Cherry, a two-time Women's Volleyball Player of the Week this season, earned a spot on the YSCC All-Conference Team as a lethal net presence and solid defender. She had 153 kills, 199 digs, and 17 service aces on the season for the Bobcats.
Rounding out the YSCC All-Conference selections for Paul Smith's College is Jordan Louis. The Navajo, NM native helped the Bobcats to the YSCC Championship game, and finished the season with 142 kills, 217 digs, and an impactful 51 service aces.
Congratulations to all the YSCC All-Conference selections, and especially those from Paul Smith's College. The 13 student athletes represent the most YSCC All-Conference selections to come from Paul Smith's College in any one semester/season.
And good luck to the women's soccer, volleyball, and men's and women's cross-country teams as they compete in Virginia Beach, Virginia this week at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Tournament. The link for the National Championships can be found here: USCAA Fall Championships
GO BOBCATS!!!