ALFRED, NY – Kiani Barnard-Pratt (Westford, MA/Westford Academy) and Nyah Solly (Colden, NY/Springville-Griffith Institute) of the Alfred University women's soccer team were each named to the All-Empire 8 Second Team, as announced on Tuesday.

"The program is proud to have Nyah and Kiani recognized for All-Empire 8 honors," Head Coach Craig Yanni said. "Both are very deserving of this award is a reflection on the hard work they along with the entire team put in throughout the year. Nyah and Kiani were certainly leaders on the field that led to us having a strong season."

Solly was excellent on the defensive end for the Saxons, which allowed just 0.53 goals per game through the 2024 season. The senior captain started in all 17 games for Alfred University, breaking the record for the most career games started in program history with 73 total games. Solly finished the season with nine points from four goals and an assist. She was additionally credited with 10 shots on goal for the Saxons.

Barnard-Pratt added to her historic collegiate career with Alfred University, finishing the season with seven shutouts. Barnard-Pratt is now just one shutout shy of the career shutouts record with 21 total shutouts, trailing only Julie Francis '92. Barnard broke her previous single-season GAA record, finishing the fall season with a 0.57 mark. The junior finished the campaign with a career-high 0.895 save percentage from 77 saves.

Alfred University additionally selected Megan Rinker (Le Roy, NY/Le Roy) as their Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year. The Empire 8 Conference emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. Rinker has distinguished herself and consistently exhibits the critical traits as an outstanding sportswoman.

"Megan is very deserving of the Sports Women of the Year as she is everything you can ask for when it comes to being a member of a team," Yanni said.