Soccer Places Program-Record 12 Student-Athletes on Academic All-MAC Team
12/9/2021 2:04:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY – After another successful season on the pitch, the University at Buffalo women's soccer team continues to excel in the classroom as well as 12 student-athletes earned a spot on the Academic All-MAC team, as announced by the conference on Thursday. The 12 Bulls recognized is a new program record, besting the previous mark of 10 honorees set in 2019.
A total of 142 student-athletes across the league were named to this year's squad.
Joining the squad for UB were graduate students Marcy Barberic, Kaitlyn Walsh and Gianna Yurchak, seniors Katherine Camper, Tess Ford, Annie Judasz and Emily Kelly, juniors Emily Lazenby, Payton Robertson and Leah Wengender and sophomores Olivia Bizzoni and Ashlyn O'Shea.
"We have a lot to be proud of this fall and for our program to set a record in the classroom speaks volumes about the individuals we have pursuing greatness here at UB," said head coach Shawn Burke.
Barberic graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in communications and a 3.227 GPA and is currently pursuing a master's degree in higher education and student affairs. She earned first team honors for the second time in her UB career. The team captain continued to cement herself as one of the best players to ever where the blue and white, as she recorded 10 goals and five assists in 15 games this season while extending her career PK record to a perfect 11-for-11. The Grand Island, NY currently sits in sixth place in program history in career goals (33), assists (17) and total points (83).
Walsh earns the recognition for the second time in her Buffalo career. After graduating in May with a 3.443 GPA and a bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Science and a minor in counseling, Walsh is currently pursuing a master's degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences. The Chenango Forks native appeared in 82 matches in her career, scoring 13 goals and adding 11 assists.
Yurchak earns All-MAC honors for the fourth time in her UB career. She graduated in May with a 3.948 GPA and a bachelor's degree in Occupational Science and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Occupational Therapy. The Leola, PA native appeared in 84 games in the blue and white, earning Second Team All-MAC honors as a senior and amassing 15 career goals and 11 assists.
Camper, a biological sciences major with a 3.987 GPA, was honored for the third straight season. The Brunswick, OH native started all 20 games for UB, recording three goals and a team-high six assists while taking 43 shots.
Ford, an exercise science major with a 3.506 GPA, also earns the recognition for the third time in her career. The Williamsville, NY native started all 20 games, leading a strong UB defense that secured eight clean sheets on the season while holding opponents to a 0.96 goals-against average.
A mechanical engineering major with a 3.98 GPA, Judasz was placed on the squad for the third time in her career. The Lancaster, NY native appeared in 19 games for UB as a senior, scoring one goal on eight shots.
A communication major with a 3.809 GPA, Kelly was placed on the squad for the third time in her career. The Wilson, NY native recorded a 13-4-3 overall record, four shutouts, 28 saves, a 0.97 goals against average and a .759 save percentage. Kelly tied the program record for career wins with 39 and currently ranks second in shutouts (23) and fifth in goals against average (1.09).
Lazenby, a history major with a 3.766 GPA, earns the recognition for the first time in her career. The Richmond Hill, Ontario native appeared in all 20 games, earning 19 starts, as a junior while leading a strong UB defense that secured eight clean sheets on the season while holding opponents to a 0.96 goals-against average.
A business administration major with a 3.974 GPA, Robertson also earns the recognition for the first time in her career. Robertson was named to the All-MAC first team as a junior. The Toronto, Ontario native rarely came off the field for the Bulls this season, making her impact known on both ends of the field. She leads the team in tackles, aerial duals and interceptions while helping lead the UB defense to eight clean sheets on the season and a goals against average of 0.96. Robertson was also a major factor on set pieces, with her lone goal of the year being a game-winning header off a corner kick to lead the Bulls to a double overtime win over Central Michigan in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals.
Wengender, a business administration major with a 3.646 GPA, earns the recognition for the second straight year. The Rochester, NY native continued to bring speed and versatility to the Bulls attack, scoring two goals and recording three assists on 27 shots while starting 19 games for UB this season.
Bizzoni, an economics major with a 3.884 GPA, earns the recognition for the first time in her career. The Brampton, Ontario native appeared in all 20 games, earning four starts, for the Bulls as a sophomore, scoring one goal and adding two assists on the year.
Also earning the recognition for the first time in her Buffalo career, O'Shea is a speech and hearing sciences major with a 3.595 GPA. The Lakewood Ranch, FL native appeared in 11 games for the Bulls as a sophomore.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that sport. Student-athletes in their first year of competition are not eligible.
A total of 142 student-athletes across the league were named to this year's squad.
Joining the squad for UB were graduate students Marcy Barberic, Kaitlyn Walsh and Gianna Yurchak, seniors Katherine Camper, Tess Ford, Annie Judasz and Emily Kelly, juniors Emily Lazenby, Payton Robertson and Leah Wengender and sophomores Olivia Bizzoni and Ashlyn O'Shea.
"We have a lot to be proud of this fall and for our program to set a record in the classroom speaks volumes about the individuals we have pursuing greatness here at UB," said head coach Shawn Burke.
Barberic graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in communications and a 3.227 GPA and is currently pursuing a master's degree in higher education and student affairs. She earned first team honors for the second time in her UB career. The team captain continued to cement herself as one of the best players to ever where the blue and white, as she recorded 10 goals and five assists in 15 games this season while extending her career PK record to a perfect 11-for-11. The Grand Island, NY currently sits in sixth place in program history in career goals (33), assists (17) and total points (83).
Walsh earns the recognition for the second time in her Buffalo career. After graduating in May with a 3.443 GPA and a bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Science and a minor in counseling, Walsh is currently pursuing a master's degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences. The Chenango Forks native appeared in 82 matches in her career, scoring 13 goals and adding 11 assists.
Yurchak earns All-MAC honors for the fourth time in her UB career. She graduated in May with a 3.948 GPA and a bachelor's degree in Occupational Science and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Occupational Therapy. The Leola, PA native appeared in 84 games in the blue and white, earning Second Team All-MAC honors as a senior and amassing 15 career goals and 11 assists.
Camper, a biological sciences major with a 3.987 GPA, was honored for the third straight season. The Brunswick, OH native started all 20 games for UB, recording three goals and a team-high six assists while taking 43 shots.
Ford, an exercise science major with a 3.506 GPA, also earns the recognition for the third time in her career. The Williamsville, NY native started all 20 games, leading a strong UB defense that secured eight clean sheets on the season while holding opponents to a 0.96 goals-against average.
A mechanical engineering major with a 3.98 GPA, Judasz was placed on the squad for the third time in her career. The Lancaster, NY native appeared in 19 games for UB as a senior, scoring one goal on eight shots.
A communication major with a 3.809 GPA, Kelly was placed on the squad for the third time in her career. The Wilson, NY native recorded a 13-4-3 overall record, four shutouts, 28 saves, a 0.97 goals against average and a .759 save percentage. Kelly tied the program record for career wins with 39 and currently ranks second in shutouts (23) and fifth in goals against average (1.09).
Lazenby, a history major with a 3.766 GPA, earns the recognition for the first time in her career. The Richmond Hill, Ontario native appeared in all 20 games, earning 19 starts, as a junior while leading a strong UB defense that secured eight clean sheets on the season while holding opponents to a 0.96 goals-against average.
A business administration major with a 3.974 GPA, Robertson also earns the recognition for the first time in her career. Robertson was named to the All-MAC first team as a junior. The Toronto, Ontario native rarely came off the field for the Bulls this season, making her impact known on both ends of the field. She leads the team in tackles, aerial duals and interceptions while helping lead the UB defense to eight clean sheets on the season and a goals against average of 0.96. Robertson was also a major factor on set pieces, with her lone goal of the year being a game-winning header off a corner kick to lead the Bulls to a double overtime win over Central Michigan in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals.
Wengender, a business administration major with a 3.646 GPA, earns the recognition for the second straight year. The Rochester, NY native continued to bring speed and versatility to the Bulls attack, scoring two goals and recording three assists on 27 shots while starting 19 games for UB this season.
Bizzoni, an economics major with a 3.884 GPA, earns the recognition for the first time in her career. The Brampton, Ontario native appeared in all 20 games, earning four starts, for the Bulls as a sophomore, scoring one goal and adding two assists on the year.
Also earning the recognition for the first time in her Buffalo career, O'Shea is a speech and hearing sciences major with a 3.595 GPA. The Lakewood Ranch, FL native appeared in 11 games for the Bulls as a sophomore.
The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that sport. Student-athletes in their first year of competition are not eligible.
Players Mentioned
M/F
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M/D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
F/M
/ Women's SoccerUB Women's Soccer vs. Ball State
Monday, September 22
UB Women's Soccer vs. Mercyhurst
Monday, August 11
UB Women's Soccer vs. Colorado College
Monday, August 11
New Videoboard Loading!!
Wednesday, July 30
