Empire 8 Announces Selections
The Empire 8 Conference announced its 2026 women’s soccer all-conference selections on Tuesday, Nov. 10, following a vote by the league’s head coaches, empire8.com reported.
Junior forward Emily Woolingham of St. John Fisher University secured the offensive player of the year honor for the second consecutive season. Woolingham led all conference players with 17 goals, 40 points, and five game-winning goals.
Senior Amelia Breton of SUNY Brockport earned her second straight midfielder of the year award. Elmira College Athletics noted via bvmsports.com that freshman Brooke Wilcox and senior Tierney Krawczyk also claimed third-team honors for Elmira.
Defensive and Rookie Awards Go to St. John Fisher, Nazareth, and Houghton Players
Abby Dorunda of St. John Fisher and Caitlyn Smithers of Nazareth University shared the defensive player of the year award. Dorunda anchored a St. John Fisher defense that conceded just eight goals during 11 regular-season conference contests, empire8.com reported.
Smithers led a Nazareth backline that surrendered only seven goals in 11 league matches. Olivia Short of Houghton University captured goalkeeper of the year and rookie of the year accolades after posting a 0.61 goals-against average and six shutouts across 10 conference games.
Nazareth first-year standout Savanna Biehler joined Short in earning top newcomer recognition. St. John Fisher head coach Molly Romano and her staff received the coaching staff of the year award after guiding the Cardinals to a 10-1 conference record and a 15-3 mark overall.
All-Conference First Team Selections
Players earned Empire 8 First Team recognition for their performances during the 2026 campaign. The selections span multiple positions and institutions across the conference.
| Player | Position | Class | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ella Yartym | Forward | Junior | SUNY Geneseo |
| Hope Russell | Forward | Junior | Houghton University |
| Savanna Biehler | Forward | First-Year | Nazareth University |
| Emily Woolingham | Forward | Junior | St. John Fisher University |
| Amelia Breton | Midfielder | Senior | SUNY Brockport |
| Ella Grupe | Midfielder | Sophomore | Hartwick College |
| Kiyomi Mastro | Midfielder | Senior | Nazareth University |
| Francesca Logrippo | Midfielder | Senior | St. John Fisher University |
| Sarah Seeling | Defender | Junior | Houghton University |
| Katelyn Dena | Defender | Senior | SUNY Geneseo |
| Caitlyn Smithers | Defender | Senior | Nazareth University |
| Abby Dorunda | Defender | Junior | St. John Fisher University |
| Olivia Short | Goalkeeper | First-Year | Houghton University |
Stefanie Hilty Represents Elmira College
Stefanie Hilty represented Elmira College on that squad, bvmsports.com reported.
Questions About Empire 8 Award Winners
Who won the 2026 Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year award?
Junior forward Emily Woolingham of St. John Fisher University claimed the honor for the second consecutive season, according to empire8.com. Woolingham led all conference players with 17 goals and 40 points.
Which institution earned Coaching Staff of the Year?
St. John Fisher University’s staff, led by head coach Molly Romano, received the award after directing the Cardinals to a 15-3 overall record, empire8.com reported.
How many goals did Brooke Wilcox score for Elmira College?
Freshman forward Brooke Wilcox led Elmira with nine goals and 20 points during the season, bvmsports.com reported via Elmira College Athletics.
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