HADDONFIELD, N.J. - The Atlantic East Conference announced the Women's Soccer All-Conference teams and major awards on Tuesday. The All-Conference teams are voted on by the league's head coaches.
Marywood’s Carly Walters was awarded Offensive Player of the Year following a standout senior campaign. The midfielder recorded 16 goals, averaging one goal per game, a feat that places her ninth in the nation. Adding three assists on the season, Walters totaled 35 points, averaging 2.19 per game, ranking her 14th nationally. In a perfect four-for-four, Walters has been named to the First Team All-Conference every year, having also won the 2022 Rookie of the Year Award. The Springfield, Pa., native’s 13 career game winning goals is fourth-best in program history.
Fellow Pacer Britlyn Higgins took home Defensive Player of the Year honors, capping her fifth year on a high note. Leading from behind, Higgins guided the Pacers to 16 wins, a program record. Anchoring a 10 shutout defense, Higgins and co. earned the top seed in postseason play. The 10 goals conceded on the season is also second-best in program history for fewest goals allowed, while their 14 game win streak during the season is yet another record. Individually, Higgins, a 2024 United Soccer Coaches Region V Third Team selection, played and started every single game this season, kicking off the campaign with a game-winning goal in the opening match, showing her ability to impact the game on both sides. The Fort Worth, Texas native added one more goal and two assists on the season.
The 2025 Atlantic East Conference Champions, Marymount, were awarded Rookie of the Year honors with Arianna Blanco. The freshman has played in all 21 games this season, starting 19. Proving her potential, the Manassas Park, Va., native posted 27 points, coming from 11 goals and five assists. Her 11 goals are the sixth-most in a single season in program history, four of which were game-winners. She recorded a goal and assist in the conference semifinal before capping off the championship match with an assist to help the Saint earn the automatic qualifier into the NCAA DIII Women’s Soccer Tournament. Playing 1483 minutes, Blanco’s pace was on display all year long, allowing her to fire off 47 shots.
Kyra Malloy, a senior from Gwynedd Mercy, took home the Atlantic East Elite Scholar Athlete Award. This honor is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA competing at the finals site at each of the Atlantic East’s championships. Malloy is majoring in Social Work and posts a perfect 4.0 GPA. Full criteria can be found here.
The Coaching Staff of the Year was awarded to Pratt in its second year of conference play. Led by Head Coach Travis Blair, the Cannoneers posted an 8-6-2 record, a program best, which was highlighted by earning the fourth seed in postseason play. Under Blari’s tutelage, Pratt was also awarded two first team and two second team honors this season.
2025 Atlantic East Women’s Soccer All-Conference Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Carly Walters, Marywood
Defensive Player of the Year: Britlyn Higgins, Marywood
Rookie of the Year: Arianna Blanco, Marymount
Elite Scholar Athlete Award: Kyra Malloy, Gwynedd Mercy
Coaching Staff of the Year: Pratt Institute
First Team
GK- Genevieve Morrison, Marywood, So.
D- Britlyn Higgins, Marywood, Gr.
D- Faith Meals, Marywood, So.
D- Isabelle Davis, Marymount, Sr.
M- Carly Walters, Marywood, Sr.
M- Kat Thomsen, Pratt, Sr.
M- Kira Bradley, Gwynedd Mercy, Sr.
M- Nicole Alvarado, Marymount, So.
F- Arianna Blanco, Marymount, Fr.
F- Bryn Stiles, Marywood, Jr.
F- Kate Nolan, Pratt, So.
Second Team
GK- Elizabeth Giamboy, Saint Elizabeth, So.
D- Cara Cimo, Neumann, So.
D- Josey Kanach, Pratt, Fr.
D- Leila Lajdel, Marymount, Jr.
D- Rebecca Gordon, Gwynedd Mercy, Jr.
M- Caroline Walters, Marywood, Sr.
M- Emma Pratt, Pratt, Jr.
M- Rylee Alston, Marywood, Gr.
F- Arianna Garcia, Marymount, Fr.
F- Gabby Palladino, Immaculata, Sr.
F- Liliana Flores, Centenary, Sr.
ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST
The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising eight institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, Marywood and Neumann Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary and Saint Elizabeth Universities in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York.
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