BOSTON – A pair of America East women’s soccer teams posted unbeaten weeks as Binghamton and UNH both used stingy defense to go unblemished. Bryant also posted its first win of the season.
Need to Know
- Binghamton posted a pair of scoreless draws vs. in-state rivals Siena and Buffalo last week to remain unbeaten at 3-0-2.
- The Bearcats are one of just seven Division I programs that have yet to give up a goal this season.
- Binghamton is the first America East women’s soccer team to post shutouts in its first five games.
- UNH won twice last week to extend its unbeaten streak to three games (2-0-1).
- The Wildcats beat Rhode Island, 1-0, on Thursday and Northeastern, 4-1, on Sunday. Ava VanBuskirk scored twice vs. the Huskies.
- Bryant beat Central Connecticut State, 2-0, on Thursday behind a pair of goals from Samantha Zaslaw. Zaslaw added a goal vs. Merrimack as well and earned America East Offensive Player of the Week honors as a result.
- Sixteen more games take place this week, including Binghamton facing a pair of power 4 foes in Syracuse and Maryland.
- The #AEWSOC preseason poll and All-Conference teams were announced on July 30. Three-time defending league champion Maine was chosen the 2026 favorite while last year’s regular-season champion Binghamton was second - link.
Weekly Award Winners – Aug. 31
Offensive Player of the Week
Samantha Zaslaw, Bryant – Sr., Forward, Marshfield, Mass.
- Scored three goals in a pair of games last week.
- Found back of the net twice in Bryant’s win over Central Connecticut State on Thursday.
- This is Luke’s first career #AEWSOC Offensive Player of the Week honor.
Defensive Player of the Week
Sophia Garofalo, Binghamton – Sr., Defender, Aberdeen, N.J.
- Led Binghamton to a pair of shutouts last week.
- This is Garofalo’s second career #AEWSOC Defensive Player of the Week honor.
Goalkeeper of the Week
Rebecca Kessler, Binghamton – Sr., Goalkeeper, Mendham, N.J.
- Stopped all four shots she faced and recorded a pair of shutouts.
- This is Kessler’s first career #AEWSOC Goalkeeper of the Week honor of the season.
Rookie of the Week
Oluchi Njoku, UAlbany – Fr. Forward, Pelham, N.Y.
- Scored her first collegiate goal vs. Quinnipiac on Thursday,
- This is Njoku’s first career #AEWSOC Rookie of the Week honor.
2026 #AEWSOC Weekly Award Winners
Aug. 17 - Offensive Player & Rookie of the Week: Brooke Clagett, UMBC; Defensive Player of the Week: Sophia Garofalo, Binghamton; Goalkeeper of the Week: Amara Codd, UMBC
Aug. 24 - Offensive Player: Paige Luke, Binghamton; Defensive Player of the Week: Ale Victoriano, Binghamton; Goalkeeper of the Week: Sonja Zeepvat, New Hampshire; Rookie of the Week: Taylor Stuart, NJIT
Aug. 31 - Offensive Player: Samantha Zaslaw, Bryant; Defensive Player of the Week: Sophia Garofalo, Binghamton; Goalkeeper of the Week: Rebecca Kessler, Binghamton; Rookie of the Week: Oluchi Njoku, UAlbany
Links
Info
Fans will once again be able to watch nearly every #AEWSOC contest this season with the majority of games airing on ESPN+ and the ESPN app while others will air on AmericaEast.TV. Those games will be available on computers, OTT devices and the America East app, which is available on all IOS and Android devices and can be found by searching ‘America East Conference’ in app stores.
Follow the @AmericaEast channels on Instagram and X to stay up-to-date on America East women’s soccer news all season long and use #AEWSOC to join the conversation.
ABOUT AMERICA EAST
Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference and its social media channels, @AmericaEast.
- America East Conference – Where Champions Rise -