BOSTON – Impressive individual performances highlighted the 2023 America East women’s soccer season and several players were rewarded for their success on Tuesday as the conference’s annual awards were announced. Binghamton, Maine and New Hampshire -the top three teams in the final standings- each earned a pair of major awards to highlight the honorees.
Maine’s Abby Kraemer earned Striker of the Year honors while the Black Bears also took home Coaching Staff of the Year honors. Binghamton’s Olivia McKnight and Paige Luke were named Midfielder and Rookie of the Year, respectively, and UNH’s Alivia Kelly and Sally Rainey garnered Defender and Goalkeeper of the Year accolades.
Additionally, the All-Conference, All-Rookie and All-Academic Teams were also announced. All awards, with the exception of All-Academic, were voted on by the league’s head coaches who could not vote for their own team. All-Academic Teams were voted on by a committee of athletic administrators and faculty.
Full Awards Listing
2023 America East Women’s Soccer Annual Awards
Striker of the Year
Abby Kraemer, Jr., Forward, Maine
- Top scoring threat in America East.
- Leads the conference in goals (11), points (26) and game-winning goals (5).
- First Black Bear to win award since 2009.
Midfielder of the Year
Olivia McKnight, Sr., Binghamton
- Just the second AE ever back-to-back winner and third multi-time winner in league history..
- Tied for league lead with six assists.
- Fifth in the AE with 14 pts.
Defender of the Year
Alivia Kelly, Sr., New Hampshire
- First-ever Wildcat to earn the honor
- Anchored a defense that leads league allowing only 0.67 goals per game
- Led a stalwart group that allowed just three goals in eight league games
Goalkeeper of the Year
Sally Rainey, So., New Hampshire
- Dominated in net during conference play.
- Led league in GAA (.375), save % (.927) & shutouts (5) against league foes.
- Third-ever Wildcat to be named Goalkeeper of the Year.
Rookie of the Year
Paige Luke, Fr., Binghamton
- First Binghamton Rookie of the Year.
- Paced all America East rookies with 10 points.
- Named America East Rookie of the Week on 9/25.
Coaching Staff of the Year
Maine Black Bears
- Helped Maine earn .750 win % In regular season (9-1-6).
- Black Bears #2 seed is highest since 2005.
- Maine’s first-ever Coaching Staff of the Year honor.
- Maine is led by head coach Scott Atherley and assistant Liis Abbott.
Five teams placed players on the All-Conference first team led by Maine's three. Kelly, Kraemer, McKnight and Rainey paced the teams.
Eight of the nine programs had a player named to the All-Conference second team.
Paige led the 11-member All-Rookie team.
Ten of the 13 All-Academic choices were also All-Conference honorees.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
– Building the Complete Student-Athlete –