Women’s Soccer Award Recipients Announced
Five Lady Cougars Selected to All-Region Team
Five members of the Lady Cougars' soccer team have been named to the 2024 All-New England (All-Region) team. Three players earned first team honors while two received second team honors. Among the All-New England selections, two athletes were additionally named as the HCC team's Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Player Award recipient.
Arianna Soares (Ludlow, MA / Ludlow HS) - Freshman - Midfielder - #21
2024 - 1st Team All-New England, Lady Cougars Most Valuable Player, NJCAA Player of the Week recipient
Soares was the Lady Cougars' team captain and their most dynamic and dangerous attacking player. She possesses tremendous speed and skill to go along with a deadly shot and sensational passing ability. Soares led the Cougars in goals (18) and points (43) this season and was second on the team in assists (7). She was in the top ten in NJCAA Division III in both goals and points and led the New England region in points while finishing second in the region in both goals and assists. Soares is also a strong defensive player, reaching these stat totals while playing most games this season in a defensive center midfield position.
Madisyn Davis (Ware, MA / Ware HS) - Freshman - Forward - #10
2024 - 1st Team All-New England, Lady Cougars Player Award
Davis was Holyoke's best striker, an outstanding finisher and passer with remarkable speed. She is a highly skilled player and great leader who was unquestionably the team's hardest working player throughout the season. Davis was second on the Cougars in goals (17) and points (40) and was in the top ten in NJCAA Division III in both categories. She scored a team-high five game-winning goals this year. A classy young lady both on and off the field and aforementioned hard worker, Davis is a most worthy recipient of the Lady Cougars Player Award, which is given to an individual who exemplifies what an HCC soccer player should be.
Paige Hebert (Monson, MA / Minnechaug Regional HS) - Freshman - Midfielder / Defender - #9
2024 - 1st Team All-New England
Hebert was one of the Lady Cougars' most versatile and well-rounded players, terrific on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. An extremely smart player who reads the game well, she played primarily in the center midfield but also as a central defender at times. Skilled and clever, Hebert accomplished a rare feat this season by scoring not just one, but two (Olympico) goals directly from a corner kick in the same game.
Emma Allyn (Holyoke, MA / Hampshire Regional HS) - Freshman - Midfielder - #4
2024 - 2nd Team All-New England
Allyn was HCC's attacking center midfielder, an exceptional player with the ball at her feet. She is an impressive dribbler who could take defenders on and is a brilliant passer who can also score goals; an absolute nightmare for opposing defenders. Allyn led the Lady Cougars and the New England region in assists this season (8). She was third on the Cougars in both goals (7) and points (22).
Emily McGrail (Ware, MA / Ware HS) - Freshman - Defender - #18
2024 - 2nd Team All-New England
McGrail was the Lady Cougars' strongest all-around defender. She played outside back and often handled the duties of stifling the opposition's most dangerous attackers. Possessing tremendous offensive skills, McGrail created a lot of offensive chances with passes from the back and by moving forward into the attack with the ball. She was one of the team's free kick takers and corner kick takers, creating numerous scoring chances and goals for Holyoke.
Photo: Soares during an October game.