VESTAL, N.Y. - After a dominating regular season that ended with a 13-game unbeaten streak, unbeaten conference record and another regular season title, Binghamton women's soccer fittingly earned a heavy share of the America East awards, which were announced Wednesday afternoon. 

Tenth-year head coach Neel Bhattacharjee and his staff were voted Coaching Staff of the Year, junior defender Sophia Garofalo was named Defender of the Year, junior midfielder Anna Buckwalter was the Co-Midfielder of the Year and the Bearcats put a program-record six on the all-conference teams. Additionally, they added two to the All-Rookie Team and three to the All-Academic Team. 

Two of the league's most dominant strikers, junior Paige Luke and sophomore Jahkaya Davis, joined Garofalo and Buckwalter as first team all-conference selections. The four first-teamers ties the program high set by the 2022 team. Junior wing back Megan Baker and junior keeper Rebecca Kessler were both named to the second team.

Impact freshmen Ale Victoriano and Sydney Krempasky were chosen for the All-Rookie Team, giving the Bearcats representation on that team for the ninth straight year. 

"We are very proud of these eight players who have shown high impact play this season," Bhattacharjee said. "Ale, Syd, Becca, Meg, Paige, Jahkaya, Anna, and Sophia performed at a tremendous competitive level this fall, leading us to another regular season championship. We also know how important it was for every team member to collectively 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 also reflective of the efforts from everyone in the program that got us the postseason No. 1 seed. I also cannot say how appreciative I am of our entire coaching and support staff and how they give the significant guidance, care, and honest feedback our student-athletes deserve so they can be successful on and off the pitch. Congratulations on the recognition to all this fall but we know there is more to be done as we look forward to hosting the semifinal on Thursday."

Bhattacharjee and his staff orchestrated a record-setting season that included fewest losses in program history (1), longest unbeaten streak (current at 13), the program's second unbeaten conference mark in the last three years, an unbeaten home mark (6-0-1) and the third regular season title in the last four years. Under Bhattacharjee's charge, the Bearcats have lost just three America East games in their last four seasons (20-3-9, 77%) - the best combined mark in the conference. It's the second coaching honor in four years for the staff and third overall during Bhattacharjee's tenure. 

Garofalo was the anchor of a Bearcats back line that has posted four shutouts and limited opponents to fewer than five shots per game. She becomes the first Bearcat to win Defender of the Year in the program's 24-year history in the America East. She also repeats as a first team all-conference selection after earning All-Rookie honors as a freshman. She added academic honors with her 3.89 GPA in business administration.  

Buckwalter earned a share of the best midfielder award after registering three goals and three assists and logging 82 minutes per game. Her major award gives the Bearcats three of the last four top midfielder honors (Olivia McKnight in 2022, 2023). Buckwalter is now a two-time all-conference selection. 

Luke and Davis were among the elite forwards in the conference and sit tied atop the team lead with 18 points apiece. Luke leads the conference with six assists and ranks second in points (6 goals, 6 assists, 18 pts.). Davis has eight goals, including a conference-best four game-winners. She has added two assists for her point total, which also ranks second in the America East. Luke, who was the 2023 Rookie of the Year, capped a remarkable comeback after an ACL injury stole her 2024 campaign. She also earned academic honors with her 3.65 GPA in psychology. After an All-Rookie season in 2024, Davis elevated her game and was one of the league's most dangerous scoring threats. 

Baker and Kessler rounded out the six all-conference selections with their first career selections. Baker helped anchor the formidable Bearcats back line and then pushed forward to collect to goals and four assists on the attack. Back between the pipes, Kessler owns a 0.86 goals against average and four shutouts and also made the All-Academic Team with her 3.78 GPA in integrative neuroscience.

When injuries struck the Binghamton back line, Victoriano assumed a starting role five games into her collegiate career and she produced an outstanding season with two goals, one assist and relentless and aggressive defending. Similarly, Krempasky stepped into a starting role in mid-October and has logged an average of 63 minutes in the last five games. She also netted her first career goal in the key 2-1 win over Maine. 

Binghamton will carry the No. 1 seed into Thursday's semifinal game against No. 4 Maine. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at the Bearcats Sports Complex.