New Hampshire headlined the 2024 women’s soccer award winners, which were announced on Tuesday afternoon, as the Wildcats took home three of the conference’s six major awards for their performances during the regular season. The Wildcats earned Striker of the Year (Meghan Guarente), Defender of the Year (Maddie Kolb) and Goalkeeper of the Year (Sally Rainey) to lead the honorees. Additionally, Vermont’s Bailey Ayer earned Midfielder of the Year honors, Binghamton’s Anna Buckwalter was named Rookie of the Year and Maine’s Coaching Staff garnered Coaching Staff of the Year accolades.
The major award winners were determined in a vote by the league's nine head coaches who were not permitted to vote for their own players.
2024 #AEWSOC Major Award Winners
Striker of the Year
Meghan Guarente, Sr., New Hampshire
- Led all #AEWSOC strikers with 10 goals, which ranked second overall.
- Scored a conference-best six game-winning goals, which is tied for the fourth most in the nation.
- Five of her goals came in conference play.
- First Wildcat to earn the honor since 2017.
- Twice named America East Offensive Player of the Week
- Was also selected to first-team All-Conference and the All-Academic team.
Midfielder of the Year
Bailer Ayer, Sr., Vermont
- League leader with 28 points on 12 goals and four assists.
- Her 12 goals also led the league.
- Named America East Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 9.
- Second Catamount to be named Midfielder of the Year in the last four years.
- Also earned first-team All-America East and All-Academic honors.
Defender of the Year
Maddie Kolb, Jr., New Hampshire
- Started all 16 of UNH’s games and ranked among league leaders in minutes played.
- Led a defensive unit that allowed the fewest goals in the conference (10) and ranks 15th in the country in team goals-against average.
- Helped UNH shutout nine of its 16 opponents.
- Also earned first-team All-Conference honors for the first time.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Sally Rainey, Jr., New Hampshire
- League leader in GAA (.625), which is 22nd-best in the country.
- Ranks 19th nationally in shutouts (9).
- League leader in save percentage (.839).
- Just the fourth repeat Goalkeeper of the Year.
- Also earned first-team All-America East and All-Academic honors.
Rookie of the Year
Anna Buckwalter, Fr., Binghamton
- Ranks eighth in the league in points (13) on five goals and three assists.
- First ever Rookie of Year from Binghamton.
- Earned a league-best five America East Rookie of the Week honors this year.
- Also named the to the second-team All-Conference squad and All-Rookie Team.
Coaching Staff of the Year
Maine
- Led by head coach Scott Atherley, Maine captured its first-ever regular-season title and complete conference play unbeaten at 8-0-1.
- Top seed for the #AEWSOC Championship for first time.
- Second-straight honor for the Black Bears.
On Nov. 1, 22 players earned All-Conference recognition while 11 were All-Rookie choices and 11 garnered All-Academic recognition. View a complete list of All-Conference, All-Rookie & All-Academic selections.
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