VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton's newly minted regular season champion women's soccer team had a big haul in the postseason awards, announced Friday afternoon by the America East. The Bearcats put a league-high and program-record four players on the all-conference first team and their five overall all-conference selections was tied for the most of any team in the America East. In addition, BU added a pair of freshmen to the All-Rookie Team plus a program-best three on the All-Academic Team.

Honored as first team all-conference selections were: senior forward Maya Anand, sophomore forward Peyton Gilmore, senior midfielder Olivia McKnight and junior back Lexi Vegoda. Earning second team all-conference honors was senior midfielder Victoria McKnight. Named All-Rookie were freshmen backs Brooke Herber and Allison Falvo.

Anand, Olivia McKnight and Vegoda were also recognized on the All-Academic Team. 

"Our program is very happy and proud of these seven individual players who have made significant contributions on the field this fall," head coach Neel Bhattacharjee said. "Victoria, Maya, Peyton and Olivia were all factors in how we led the America East in goals scored. Lexi gave our team a voice and presence in our defending. Brooke and Allison both played important roles in our young back line to give us steady performances. We also note how important it was for everyone to contribute to what we do as a team on a daily basis in training ... to push one another to be the best versions of themselves. These individual merits are well deserved and reflective of the collective efforts from everyone in the program."

The four first-teamers is the most in BU's 21-year Division I history and the five total all-conference selections equals the mark set by the 2004 team and tied by the 2020 team. 

Anand spearheaded a BU attack that led the conference in goals (37) and goals per game (2.2). The Bearcats' 22 goals in league play are the most of any America East team in 11 years. She leads the conference in points (24) and became just the third Bearcat to reach double-digit goals (10) in the program's 21-year history. Anand's hat trick against Vermont (in 68 minutes) sparked a key road win and began an offensive explosion that saw the Bearcats score three or more goals in four of their final six conference games. It's Anand's second all-conference honor, having earned second-team laurels last season.

Olivia McKnight produced a dominant conference season and led all America East players with five goals and 11 points in league play – all in the last six games. Her signature game was a three-goal outburst in BU's pivotal 5-4 win over UMass Lowell. Overall she ranks fifth in the America East in points (6-4=16). McKnight has boosted her career totals to 18 goals (7th all-time), 13 assists (6^th) and 49 points (8^th). She is now a three-time all-conference selection and BU's first two-time first-team selection since Hall of Fame member Meghan Taylor did it in 2004 and 2005. McKnight began her career with All-Rookie honors in 2019.

Gilmore, was one of just two underclassmen voted to the first team, has seven goals and 17 points and has emerged as a dangerous scoring threat in just her second collegiate season. She ranks fourth in the conference in points and is fifth in goals. Gilmore shares the league lead with three game-winning goals. She was an All-Rookie selection last season.

Vegoda has been an impactful presence on both sides of the field. She helped steady a young back line with leadership and strong, physical play and also delivered countless long services on set plays. From the penalty spot, she was 2-for-2 and has added three assists for seven regular-season points. This is Vegoda's first all-conference honor.  

Victoria McKnight earns her second all-conference honor after compiling five goals and 11 points in the regular season. She is tied for ninth in the conference in goals and has shown incredible grit in rehabbing from two major injuries in her career and returning to top level performance after each. McKnight was an All-Rookie selection in 2020.

Herber was installed as a starter in preseason and has played every minute of every game at center back. She has anchored a young defense that has notched five shutouts, four in conference play. She added her first collegiate goal in Thursday's win over UMBC.

Falvo joined Herber on the back line and has been a steady force in the starting lineup all season. She scored the game-winning goal in BU's 4-1 win at FDU – her first collegiate tally.       

The conference's six major awards will be announced Tuesday: Coach of the Year, Striker of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, Defender of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year and Rookie of the Year.  

Binghamton begins postseason play next Thursday with 6 p.m. home semifinal game at the Bearcats Sports Complex. As the top seed, BU will also host the championship game (Nov. 6) if the team advances.  

Binghamton America East All-Conference Selections
2002:  Tracy Kasmarcik (1st Team), Lauren Cherry (2nd), Amanda Norman (Honorable Mention), Meghan Taylor (Honorable Mention), Lauren Massey (All-Rookie)
2003:  Tracy Kasmarcik (2nd), Tatiana Mathelier (Honorable Mention), Danielle White (All-Rookie)
2004:  Tatiana Mathelier (1st), Deli Plourde (1st), Meghan Taylor (1st), Caitlin O'Shaughnessy (2nd), Kim Povill (Honorable Mention & All-Rookie)
2005:  Meghan Taylor (1st), Kelly Burnham (2nd), Tricia Reed (2nd), Kristie Bowers (Honorable Mention), Kim Thomas (All-Rookie)
2006:  Tricia Reed (1st), Nicole Montoya (All-Rookie)
2007:  Amanda Casares (2nd), Kim Povill (2nd), Stefani Knopick (All-Rookie)
2008:  Amanda Casares (2nd), Nicole Montoya (2nd), Dani Raske (All-Rookie)
2009:  Amanda Casares (1st), Dani Raske (2nd), Jamie Holliday (All-Rookie), Emily Pape (All-Rookie)
2011: Connie Gormley (All-Rookie)
2012: Sarah Furminger (2nd)
2013: Rebecca Raber (1st), Connie Gormley (2nd), Katie O'Neill (All-Rookie)
2014: Katherine Corcoran (2nd), Katie O'Neill (2nd), Connie Gormley (2nd), Jacque Rice (All-Rookie)
2015: Katherine Corcoran (2nd)
2017: Kayla Saager (1st), Carly Barnett (2nd), Erin Theiller (2nd, All Rookie), Dora Hayes (2nd, All Rookie)
2018: Kayla Saager (2nd), Kayla Mackenzie (All-Rookie)
2019: Dora Hayes (2nd), Erin Theiller (2nd), Olivia McKnight (All-Rookie)
2020: Erin Theiller (1st), Olivia McKnight (1st), Nicole Scudero (2nd), Stefania Piantadosi (2nd), Haylee Poltorak (2nd), Victoria McKnight (All-Rookie)
2021: Maya Anand (2nd), Olivia McKnight (2nd), Nicole Scudero (2nd), Victoria McKnight (2nd), Peyton Gilmore (All-Rookie)
2022: Maya Anand (1st), Olivia McKnight (1st), Peyton Gilmore (1st), Lexi Vegoda (1st), Victoria McKnight (2nd), Brooke Herber (All-Rookie), Allison Falvo (All-Rookie)