LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has released its All-Conference Teams as well as its major awards for the 2021 season. The conference has announced two All-Conference teams consisting of three forwards, three midfielders, three defenders, one goal keeper and an at-large student-athlete. The four major awards have also been announced and have been awarded to the following:
Offensive Player of the Year - Sara Hathaway (Penn State Berks)
Defensive Player of the Year - Lauren Baker (St. Mary’s College of Maryland)
Rookie of the Year - Ella Raines (St. Mary’s College of Maryland)
Coach of the Year - Brandon West (Penn State Harrisburg)
Hathaway was a powerhouse for Penn State Berks all season, earning her the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year honors. The junior led the United East in total points (29), assists (7) and was tied for the league lead in goals (11). Hathaway notched six multi-point games this season, including netting a hat trick on two separate occasions. The forward also headed an offense that led the league in shots with 305. This year, Hathaway was recognized for her efforts in the final week of the regular season as she was tabbed the conference’s Offensive Player of the Week.
Baker was a major key to a Seahawk defense, helping her earn United East Defensive Player of the Year honors. The captain started all 18 games for St. Mary’s College, helping the squad nab the second seed in the upcoming United East Championship. Baker anchored a backline that allowed just 12 goals on the season, which led the conference. Her efforts also kept opponents from getting their shots on target as less than 45 percent of opposing teams shots were on frame.
Raines made a splash in her first year of collegiate soccer, helping her earn the title of the conference’s Rookie of the Year. The freshman was tied for the league lead in goals (11), including a hat trick against Wells in the middle of the season. Of those 11 goals, seven went down as the game winners which ranks as the third most among Division III players. Raines is currently riding a hot streak into the postseason as she has notched a goal in the Seahawks final four games of the regular season. Raines also collected United East Offensive Player of the Week nod two weeks ago.
In his first year as the Lions head coach, Brandon West showed out as he took home United East Coach of the Year honors. West guided his squad to an undefeated conference record (7-0-1), earning Harrisburg the top seed in the upcoming United East Championship. This year, the Lions have dominated both sides of the ball, holding the highest scoring margin (+23) and scoring the most goals (37). Coach West also saw his athletes earn four Player of the Week accolades and seven All-Conference honors.
Check her for the full All-Conference team rosters:
First Team All-Conference
| Sara Hathaway |
Penn State Berks |
Forward |
Junior |
| Ella Raines |
St. Mary's College (Md.) |
Forward |
Junior |
| Kendal Ream |
Lancaster Bible College |
Forward |
Senior |
| Emily Clapper |
Penn State Berks |
Midfield |
Senior |
| Ashley Yurich |
St. Mary's College (Md.) |
Midfield |
Senior |
| Grace Burns |
Penn State Abington |
Midfield |
Sophomore |
| Sarah Toche-Manley |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Midfield |
Sophomore |
| Lauren Baker |
St. Mary's College (Md.) |
Defender |
Senior |
| Katie Brown |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Defender |
Freshman |
| Lydia Cacciola |
Penn State Berks |
Defender |
Senior |
| Payton DeGraw |
Gallaudet University |
Goalkeeper |
Sophomore |
Second Team All-Conference
| Rhyan Socash |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Forward |
Senior |
| Kylee Altland |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Forward |
Senior |
| Bryanna Hoover |
Lancaster Bible College |
Forward |
Senior |
| Cassie Johnson |
Penn College |
Midfield |
Freshman |
| Diana Clay |
St. Mary's College |
Midfield |
Sophomore |
| Taylor Shultz |
Lancaster Bible College |
Midfield |
Sophomore |
| Amy Patkos |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Defender |
Sophomore |
| Gabby Manning |
St. Mary's College (Md.) |
Defender |
Junior |
| Avery Bieber |
Lancaster Bible College |
Defender |
Junior |
| Sydney Hemler |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Defender |
Senior |
| Delaney Shifflett |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Defender |
Senior |
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The United East has nine NCAA Division III member institutions which include: Gallaudet University, Lancaster Bible College, Morrisville State, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, St. Mary's College of Maryland and Wells College. The United East also includes three associate members in the sport of men’s golf including Rosemont College, Rutgers University – Camden and Wilson College. The United East has also partnered with the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference in the sports of men's and women's lacrosse and the North Atlantic Conference in men's tennis and women's tennis. For more information, please visit: gounitedeast.com.