LATHAM, N.Y. – The United East Conference has announced its 2026 Women's Soccer All-Conference Teams and Major Award Winners. A total of 39 student-athletes earned All-Conference recognition across three teams, while four major awards were presented following a vote by the conference's head coaches.
Penn College's Megan Kurian was named Player of the Year, while Penn State Harrisburg claimed the remaining three major awards. Abigail Frew earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, Abigail Mahaffey was selected as Rookie of the Year, and the Penn State Harrisburg coaching staff, led by head coach Matt Garrett, was recognized as Coaching Staff of the Year.
Penn State Harrisburg led the conference with 10 All-Conference selections, including six First Team honorees. Penn College followed with seven selections, while St. Mary's College of Maryland earned seven.
2026 Women's Soccer Major Award Winners
Player of the Year – Megan Kurian, Penn College
Defensive Player of the Year – Abigail Frew, Penn State Harrisburg
Rookie of the Year – Abigail Mahaffey, Penn State Harrisburg
Coaching Staff of the Year – Penn State Harrisburg
Player of the Year – Megan Kurian, Penn College
Penn College sophomore Megan Kurian has been named the 2026 United East Women's Soccer Player of the Year following an outstanding offensive campaign for the Wildcats. Kurian started all 15 games in which she appeared, recording 16 goals and five assists for a total of 37 points. She averaged more than a goal per game and netted five game-winning goals, helping Penn College secure the No. 2 seed in the United East Championship.
Kurian was particularly dominant against conference opponents, scoring 10 goals and adding three assists for 23 points in eight United East contests. She recorded four game-winning goals during conference play while putting 21 of her 38 shots on target. Her consistent offensive production helped lead the Wildcats to a 7-1-0 conference record and a second-place finish in the regular-season standings.
Defensive Player of the Year – Abigail Frew, Penn State Harrisburg
Penn State Harrisburg's Abigail Frew has been named the 2026 United East Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Year following an outstanding season anchoring the Lions' back line. Frew started all 15 games in which she appeared, logging 1,309 minutes while serving as a key figure in one of the conference's most formidable defensive units. Her ability to organize the defense, communicate with teammates, and neutralize opposing teams' most dangerous offensive threats played an instrumental role in Harrisburg's success throughout the regular season.
With Frew leading the defensive unit, Penn State Harrisburg surrendered just 16 goals throughout the season, including only two in eight United East contests. Her leadership, defensive awareness, and ability to contain opposing attackers helped the Lions establish themselves as one of the conference's toughest teams to score against. Frew also contributed offensively, recording one goal and one assist for three points on the season.
Rookie of the Year – Abigail Mahaffey, Penn State Harrisburg
Penn State Harrisburg's Abigail Mahaffey has been named the 2026 United East Women's Soccer Rookie of the Year following an impressive debut season for the Lions. Mahaffey made an immediate impact on Harrisburg's offensive attack, starting all 18 games in which she appeared while recording 11 goals and four assists for 26 points. The first-year forward registered four game-winning goals and placed 27 of her 38 shots on target, establishing herself as a consistent scoring threat throughout the season.
Mahaffey was particularly dominant during conference play, scoring nine goals and adding two assists for 20 points in eight United East contests. She recorded all four of her game-winning goals against conference opponents while converting an impressive 34.6 percent of her shots into goals. Her offensive production played a significant role in helping Penn State Harrisburg finish unbeaten in conference play and capture the United East regular-season title.
Coaching Staff of the Year – Penn State Harrisburg
The Penn State Harrisburg women's soccer coaching staff, led by first-year head coach Matt Garrett, has been named the 2026 United East Women's Soccer Coaching Staff of the Year. In his first season at the helm, Garrett guided the Lions to an 11-5-2 overall record and an unbeaten 7-0-1 mark in conference play, securing the United East regular-season title.
Under Garrett's leadership, Penn State Harrisburg established itself as one of the conference's most balanced teams, combining a potent offensive attack with a disciplined defensive unit. The Lions scored 48 goals on the season, averaging 2.67 goals per game, while surrendering just 16 goals in 18 contests. Harrisburg was particularly dominant defensively against conference opponents, allowing only two goals in eight United East matches.
The Lions' success was also reflected on the national stage, ranking 73rd in NCAA Division III in points per game and 99th in goals-against average. Garrett and his staff helped guide several student-athletes to standout seasons, including Defensive Player of the Year Abigail Frew and Rookie of the Year Abigail Mahaffey, highlighting the program's success on both ends of the field.
2026 Women's Soccer First Team All-Conference
| Name |
Institution |
Position |
| Megan Kurian |
Penn College |
Forward |
| Julia Hughes |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Forward |
| Abigail Mahaffey |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Forward |
| Stephanie Morales |
Penn State Berks |
Forward |
| Olivia Sgrignioli |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Midfield |
| Camryn Lobb |
Penn College |
Midfield |
| Ava Myers |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Midfield |
| Gianna Gamble |
Penn College |
Midfield |
| Abigail Frew |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Defender |
| Allie Petryszak |
St. Mary's College of Maryland |
Defender |
| Makayla Bucks |
Penn College |
Defender |
| Teagan Paragon |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Defender |
| Breanna Brown |
St. Mary's College of Maryland |
Goalkeeper |
2026 Women's Soccer Second Team All-Conference
| Name |
Institution |
Position |
| Lily Persing |
Penn College |
Forward |
| Ella Quince |
Cairn University |
Forward |
| Alexandra Sarrach |
St. Mary's College of Maryland |
Forward |
| Ava Ortiz |
Penn State Berks |
Midfield |
| Charlotte Bryan |
St. Mary's College of Maryland |
Midfield |
| Alex Busick |
Notre Dame of Maryland |
Midfield |
| Megan Rusk |
St. Mary's College of Maryland |
Midfield |
| Devon Deery |
Penn State Berks |
Defender |
| Ava Gamble |
Penn College |
Defender |
| Mackenzie Mowery |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Defender |
| Sierra Klinger |
Penn College |
Defender |
| Brooke Hall |
St. Mary's College of Maryland |
Defender |
| Sydney Mulka |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Goalkeeper |
2026 Women's Soccer Third Team All-Conference
| Name |
Institution |
Position |
| Emily Murawski |
Lancaster Bible College |
Forward |
| Maci Laster |
Penn State Berks |
Forward |
| Addison Campbell |
St. Mary's College of Maryland |
Forward |
| Josey Smith |
Cairn University |
Forward |
| Rayanna Wagaman |
Lancaster Bible College |
Midfield |
| Kaitlyn Frank |
Penn State Abington |
Midfield |
| Isabella Eufemia |
Lancaster Bible College |
Midfield |
| Esmerelda Hernandez |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Midfield |
| Haley Moyer |
Lancaster Bible College |
Defender |
| Sara Hogan |
Penn State Abington |
Defender |
| Janae Swartz |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Defender |
| Abby Mellinger |
Cairn University |
Defender |
| Madison Ebersole |
Wilson College |
Goalkeeper |
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The United East Conference consists of 13 NCAA Division III full-member institutions: Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, St. Mary's College of Maryland, and Wilson College.