BOSTON — Seven members of the Hartford women's soccer team combined to take home nine All-Conference and All-Academic Team honors from the America East, the organization announced on Friday afternoon.
Highlighting the award winners are seniors
Sierra Stone and
Anna Cronin, who were each named to the All-Conference First Team. Classmate
Kaila Lozada and junior
Maia Perez took home Second Team All-Conference accolades, while rookie
Ishani Sharma was placed on the All-Rookie Team.
Rounding out the Hawks' honorees were Lozada, Stone, junior
Alexis Doran and sophomore
Izzy Lachcik, who each earned a spot on the America East All-Academic Team.
Major award winners will be announced by the league office on Monday.
A native of Hebron, Conn., Stone received All-Conference distinction for the seventh time in her career. Named the America East Rookie of the Year in 2016 and the Midfielder of the Year in 2017, she has been the offensive spark plug for the Hawks during conference play, having a hand in all but one of Hartford's 10 goals with four markers — including three game winners — and five assists.
On the season, Stone, a two-time America East Player of the Week recipient, leads Hartford's offense with 17 points — fourth-most in the America East — while her nine assists rank first in the league.
The reigning America East Women's Soccer Scholar-Athlete, Stone also earned All-Academic Team distinction for the third time in as many seasons. Recognized by CoSIDA and United Soccer Coaches during her career for her academic success, she holds a 3.97 GPA as an accounting major.
Cronin, a native of Glastonbury, Conn., is also a repeat All-Conference honoree, having earned All-Rookie Team laurels in 2017. A captain, she has helped lead the back line to five shutouts this season. In addition, Cronin has tallied a career-best two goals, including the game-winner earlier this season against Delaware State.
A native of Newington, Conn., Lozada receives All-Conference distinction for the third time in her career, as she previously earned First Team (2018) and All-Rookie Team (2016) distinction. With each of her three goals being game-winning tallies against Manhattan, Merrimack and UMBC, the forward tacks on three assists this season for nine points.
Lozada is also a three-time All-Academic Team member, having previously earned the honor in 2017 and 2018. A health science major who holds a 3.86 GPA, she was also a US Coaches Scholar-All East selection a year ago, earning First Team accolades.
Perez has been the anchor of a Hartford defense that leads the America East in goals-against average (0.89). A goalkeeper, the Kentwood, Mich., native enters the postseason ranked first in the America East in save percentage (.833), second in GAA (0.83) and third in saves per game (4.69). In addition, Perez ranks among the top keepers in program history, as she is No. 9 in shutouts (14), No. 6 in wins (29) and No. 8 in saves (192).
Sharma has started 10 of the 13 matches in which she has appeared in as a rookie. The midfielder, who joined the Hawks from Brampton, Ontario, has had a hand in five clean sheets for the Hawks.
A defender from Hebron, Conn., Doran has made starts in 10 of 14 appearances and has contributed to five shutouts this season. A health science major who has earned Commissioner's Honor Roll status twice in her career, she has maintained a 3.96 GPA.
Lachcik, a midfielder from Vernon, Conn., is enjoying a breakout season for the Hawks. The sophomore is tied for first with four goals to rank fourth on the team with a career-high eight points. In the classroom, she holds a 3.94 GPA as a biomedical engineering major.
Finishing the America East slate with a 5-2-1 record, the Hawks make their America East-record 10th straight postseason appearance as the No. 3 seed. Hartford begins the tournament by playing host to No. 6 UMass Lowell on Sunday (Nov. 3), at 1 p.m.
Tickets ($8 – adults; $5 – youth; $2 students, with valid ID) can be purchased by clicking
here.
