ROCHESTER, NY - Six members of the Utica University women's soccer team have been named to Empire 8 All-Conference Teams, as announced by the league on Tuesday.
Amber Piersma (Cassville, NY/Mount Markham) has received her second career Empire 8 All-Conference selection after being named to the first team. Starting in all 19 games for the Pioneers this season, Piersma posted a conference leading 11 goals. Piersma led the team in shots (42), shots on goal (24), and her total of 24 points was good enough for third in the conference this season.
Rylee Lamphere (Little Falls, NY/Dolgeville) has received her third career Empire 8 All-Conference selection after being named to the second team. Also starting in all 19 games this season, Lamphere was a statement piece in the midfield for the Pioneers. Lamphere recorded 29 shots with 18 shots on goal this season, managing to find the back of the net four times.
Samantha Kogut (North Adams, MA/Drury) has received her first Empire 8 All-Conference selection after being named to the second team. Kogut set new program records this season in games played, games started, and minutes played. Despite being a defender, Kogut was able to get in on the offensive action with a team second best four assists. Kogut helped lead the Pioneer backline, only allowing a .469 shots on goal percentage to opponents this season, and less than one goal allowed to opponents per game.
Cora Kraft (Poughquag, NY/Arlington) has received her third career Empire 8 All-Conference selection after being named to the third team. Kraft, a defender, was also able to get in on the offensive action, finding the back of the net four times this season. Kraft also helped lead the Pioneer backline, only allowing a .469 shots on goal percentage to opponents this season, and less than one goal allowed to opponents per game.
Hannah Pcola (Cassville, NY/Mount Markham) has received her first Empire 8 All-Conference selection after being named to the third team. Pcola posted the third lowest goals against average in the conference this season at .714, with a save percentage of .867. Pcola only allowed 11 goals this season with a total of 72 saves on 184 shots faced. Her six shutouts this season marked the fourth best in the conference.
Sofia Fini (Campbell Hall, NY/Goshen) has been named Utica's recipient of the Empire 8 Tomorrow's Leaders award. One member of each team was named that institution's representative on the 2025 Women's Soccer Tomorrow's Leaders Team. This team honors a student-athlete who has emerged as a leader not only on the field of play, but in the classroom and in the community. In addition, they "compete with honor and integrity" and have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportswomen.
