Former Bulls Carissima Cutrona and Julia Benati Reunite To Play Professionally in Norway
8/25/2022 12:55:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY – After serving as captains together for three seasons with the University at Buffalo women's soccer team, former UB standouts Carissima Cutrona and Julia Benati will now team up to play professionally in Norway with Medkila IL.
Cutrona was a four-year standout for the Bulls, finishing her career ranked seventh in program history with 28 goals and fifth with 18 assists. She was named to the All-MAC First Team and All-Midwest Region Third team as a senior after earning All-MAC Second Team honors as a sophomore. Off the pitch, Cutrona was a four-time Academic All-MAC selection and was a two-time COSIDA Academic All-District recipient and a MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete.
Following graduation, the Williamsville, NY native captained the Western New York Flash for two seasons, amassing 20 goals and seven assists. She earned All-UWS First team honors in 2017 and 2018 while also earning a spot on the All-East Conference First Team in both of those seasons. Cutrona played the last two seasons for FC Buffalo, serving as team captain while scoring 13 goals and adding 16 assists. She was named to the All-UWS Second Team and All-East Conference First Team in 2021.
Benati was a force for the Bulls over her four years in Buffalo, leading the team to a Mid-American Conference Championship and the highest national ranking in school history in 2014, while finishing in the top 20 in program history in career goals (18) and assists (13). After being named to the All-Freshman Team as a rookie, Benati went on two earn All-MAC Second Team honors twice, before earning a spot on the All-MAC First Team and the All-Midwest Region Third Team as a senior. Off the pitch, she was a four-time Academic All-MAC selection.
After leaving Buffalo, Benati played seven seasons for FC London in Canada League 1, the country's top tier women's premier league, where she was a two-time Midfielder of the Year and two-time League Cup Champion while also leading the team to four league championships and was a six-time League All-Star, a league record. She captained the squad last season, scoring four game-winning goals.
"We are tremendously proud to see two former captains sign professional contracts," said head coach Shawn Burke. "They built the foundation for our program and have continued to pursue their dreams after their time here at UB. We can't wait to see them take Norway by storm!"
Medkila IL, based in Harstad, plays in the Norwegian First Division. They won the 2003 Norwegian Women's Cup in 2003.
Cutrona and Benati follow Marcy Barberic who is currently playing professionally in Iceland with KR Reykjavik.
Cutrona was a four-year standout for the Bulls, finishing her career ranked seventh in program history with 28 goals and fifth with 18 assists. She was named to the All-MAC First Team and All-Midwest Region Third team as a senior after earning All-MAC Second Team honors as a sophomore. Off the pitch, Cutrona was a four-time Academic All-MAC selection and was a two-time COSIDA Academic All-District recipient and a MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete.
Following graduation, the Williamsville, NY native captained the Western New York Flash for two seasons, amassing 20 goals and seven assists. She earned All-UWS First team honors in 2017 and 2018 while also earning a spot on the All-East Conference First Team in both of those seasons. Cutrona played the last two seasons for FC Buffalo, serving as team captain while scoring 13 goals and adding 16 assists. She was named to the All-UWS Second Team and All-East Conference First Team in 2021.
Benati was a force for the Bulls over her four years in Buffalo, leading the team to a Mid-American Conference Championship and the highest national ranking in school history in 2014, while finishing in the top 20 in program history in career goals (18) and assists (13). After being named to the All-Freshman Team as a rookie, Benati went on two earn All-MAC Second Team honors twice, before earning a spot on the All-MAC First Team and the All-Midwest Region Third Team as a senior. Off the pitch, she was a four-time Academic All-MAC selection.
After leaving Buffalo, Benati played seven seasons for FC London in Canada League 1, the country's top tier women's premier league, where she was a two-time Midfielder of the Year and two-time League Cup Champion while also leading the team to four league championships and was a six-time League All-Star, a league record. She captained the squad last season, scoring four game-winning goals.
"We are tremendously proud to see two former captains sign professional contracts," said head coach Shawn Burke. "They built the foundation for our program and have continued to pursue their dreams after their time here at UB. We can't wait to see them take Norway by storm!"
Medkila IL, based in Harstad, plays in the Norwegian First Division. They won the 2003 Norwegian Women's Cup in 2003.
Cutrona and Benati follow Marcy Barberic who is currently playing professionally in Iceland with KR Reykjavik.
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