BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Bucknell senior defender Katie Schiano was named the 2024 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year when the League office announced the honors on Wednesday.
Schiano is one of the 11 student-athletes honored on the sport’s Academic All-Patriot League team. Eight of the 10 Patriot League programs are represented on the Academic All-Patriot League squad, as American, Boston University, and Bucknell led the way with two student-athletes each on the team.
American junior midfielder Avery Klingensmith (American government and justice & law, 3.98) and senior forward Brooke Steel (biology, 3.98), Army West Point senior defender Keira Vesy (mechanical engineering, 3.84), Boston University senior forward Morgan Fagan (business administration & management, 3.94) and junior midfielder Giulianna Gianino (human physiology, 3.87) accompanied Schiano on the academic team.
Bucknell senior midfielder Kelly Francis (neuroscience, 4.0), Holy Cross senior defender Emily Bubonovich (biology & computer science, 4.0), Lafayette senior forward Alexa Jindal (English, 3.94), Loyola Maryland senior forward Baylee DeSmit (elementary education, 3.67) and Navy senior forward Alexa Riddle (cyber operations, 3.52) were also selected to the Academic All-Patriot League Team.
To be eligible for the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and the Academic All-Patriot League Team, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and be a starter or key player within his/her sport. Freshmen or student-athletes in their first academic year at their school are not eligible for the honor.
The Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year for each sport comprises the pool of nominees for the Patriot League Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards given out during the summer.
These honors recognize student-athletes who excel in their sport and the classroom. The awards are voted on by Patriot League women's soccer sports information directors, who are not eligible to vote for their student-athletes.
2024 Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Katie Schiano, Bucknell, Sr., D, New Albany, Ohio/Columbus Academy
*Schiano, the 2024 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-League selection, owns a 3.83 cumulative GPA as a Markets, Innovation & Design major.
*A Dean’s List student-athlete, she is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society and served as a Wasserman Speakers Intern with the Montag Group.
*Serving as Bucknell’s team captain, Schiano led a backline that allowed the fewest goals in the Patriot League overall (0.82 goals-against average) and in League play (0.44 GAA).
*During her career, the New Albany, Ohio native has contributed to 29 shutouts and helped the Bison allow one goal in seven Patriot League tournament games on their way to three straight championships.
*Schiano becomes the second straight Bison to collect Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, as Brooke Tracey received the award in 2023.
2024 Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Katie Schiano, Bucknell, Sr., D
2024 Women’s Soccer Academic All-League Team
Avery Klingensmith, American, Jr., M
Brooke Steel, American, Sr., F
Keira Vesy, Army West Point, Sr., D
Morgan Fagan, Boston University, Sr., F
Giulianna Gianino, Boston University, Jr., M
Kelley Francis, Bucknell, Sr., M
Katie Schiano, Bucknell, Sr., D
Emily Bubonovich, Holy Cross, Sr., D
Alexa Jindal, Lafayette, Sr., F
Baylee DeSmit, Loyola Maryland, Sr., F
Alexa Riddle, Navy, Sr., F
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.