Trio from Stevens Headline Nine Empire 8 Soccer Student-Athletes Named All-East Region
UNITED SOCCER COACHES RELEASE
Three Ducks Earn 1st Team All-Region Selections
Nine Empire 8 Conference student-athletes were recognized as All-Region selections by the United Soccer Coaches, it was announced earlier this week. Three Stevens' student-athletes -
Daniel Aversano,
Olivia Butera, and
Julia Panko - garnered 1st Team All Region accolades to headline the league's accolades. In total, six men's and women's soccer players representing Stevens were honored by the coaches organization. Stevens claimed both men's and women's E8 Soccer Championships this past fall.
To see the complete list of those that were honored, please see below
Aversano, the E8 Player of the Year, earned his first career All-Region distinction after leading the team with 10 goals and nine assists. He netted three game-winners and helped the team average 2.27 goals per contest, which tied for 64th in the country, while his 0.45 assists per game ranked 50th.
Butera collected her second career All-Region distinction after being named to the then-National Soccer Coaches Association of America's Second Team as a sophomore. She netted three goals and tied for the team lead with seven assists, while playing a key role in the midfield for a team that outscored opponents by over two goals per game and allowed less than a goal per game to opponents. Panko, the two-time E8 Offensive Player of the Year, earned her third straight All-Region accolade after leading the team with 23 points She scored 10 goals with three assists and netted five game-winners.
Additionally, Stevens' women's soccer coaching staff, led by 19th-year head coach
Jeff Parker, was named the East Region's Coaching Staff of the Year after guiding the Ducks to a 16-3 record and an NCAA Second Round appearance. The Coaching Staff of the Year honor was the first in the program's 27-year history.
United Soccer Coaches - Men's All East Region
1st Team - Daniel Aversano, Stevens
2nd Team - Adam Silva, Stevens
3rd Team - Nick Cousillas, Stevens
United Soccer Coaches - Women's All East Region
1st Team - Olivia Butera, Stevens // Julia Panko, Stevens
2nd Team - Gabrielle Kreppein, Hartwick // Hannah Miller, Nazareth // Gianna Nitti, Stevens
3rd Team - Samantha Trimblett, Sage
- Additional information for this release provided by the athletic communication staff at Stevens -
About the Empire 8 Conference
The members of the Empire 8 are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and aspire to be regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership seeks to distinguish itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the Empire 8.