Army West Point Athletics
Drysdale, Richey Land All-Conference Honors
October 29, 2021 | Women's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lauren Drysdale and Emma Richey highlighted the postseason honors for the Army West Point women's soccer team, as the duo received spots on the Patriot League's All-Conference Teams as put out by the conference office on Friday afternoon.
Drysdale, a midfielder, was named to the Second Team, while Richey earned a spot on the Third Team as a defender. This is the third career honor for Drysdale, while the accolade is the first of Richey's career.
"First and foremost, we are so proud of our entire squad in achieving what we set out to do from day one and get ourselves into the conference tournament," head coach Tracy Chao said. "What an exciting and competitive season for the Patriot League as it took the final matches and final minutes for teams to be seeded. Lauren and Emma's recognition are certainly warranted in their performances during this season, but they are just two of the solid pieces of our entire 32-player team.
A three-year starter, Drysdale has been a consistent force in the midfield for the Cadets this season. With the third-most minutes played on the team (1348), she has been referred to by Chao as the team's "connector". The Irvine, Calif. native recorded her first goal of the season during the thrilling, 2-1 victory over Colgate when she converted her second career penalty kick. Additionally, she became just the sixth Patriot League player to score against Boston University this season when she did so in Wednesday night's contest. A team captain, she has the fourth-most points on the team (six) thanks to an additional pair of assists.
"Lauren no doubt is a facilitator and a true engine for us in the midfield with how play runs through her," Chao said. "And as a Cow [junior], she took on another major role as a captain. Those at West Point understand that being a captain here is unlike having the role anywhere else with its major responsibilities beyond the program itself. And, over the course of the season, her impact on the field has helped her find true joy and grow as a person, teammate and leader. It has been really amazing to see."
Richey has been a significant contributor in her junior season with the Black Knights and has started in all 17 of the team's matches. The Chandler, Ariz. native leads the Cadets in minutes-played (1593) and has anchored a defense that has allowed the sixth-lowest goals in the Patriot League (22), despite its change to an entirely new back line from a year ago. Richey also recorded an assist during the dominant 5-1 victory at Holy Cross, boosting an offense that scored the most single-game goals in a conference outing this year.
"Without question, Emma Richey has grown as a player in being our anchor in the backline," Chao added. "But honestly, it has been how she approached this season from the first day until now that has been nothing but consistent in championing her role with her attitude, work and focus. She is an ultimate leader by example with compassion and standards."
Drysdale, Richey and the rest of the Black Knights are gearing up for the start of the 2021 Patriot League Championship, which is set to kick off with quarterfinal matches on Sunday, Oct. 31. No. 6 Army will travel to No. 3 Loyola Maryland to face off against the Greyhounds at 2 p.m. For further details regarding the tournament, click HERE.
2021 Women's Soccer All-Patriot League and Major Awards
Offensive Player of the Year – Rylee Donaldson, Bucknell, Jr., F
Defensive Player of the Year – Jenna Oldham, Boston University, Sr., D
Midfielder of the Year – Hannah Pinkus, Colgate, Sr., M
Goalkeeper of the Year – Paige Sim, Loyola Maryland, Jr., GK
Rookie of the Year – Alexa Riddle, Navy, Fr., F
Coach of the Year – Nancy Feldman, Boston University
First Team
Abby McNulty, Boston University, So., F
Rylee Donaldson, Bucknell, Jr., F
Ally Giovino, Colgate, So., F
Alexa Riddle, Navy, Jr., F
Teresa Deda, Bucknell, Fr., M
Hannah Pinkus, Colgate, Sr., M
Victoria Tran, Navy, Sr., M
Jenna Oldham, Boston University, Sr., D
Ruby Diodati, Colgate, Sr., D
Erin Keefe, Lehigh, Sr., D
Paige Sim, Loyola Maryland, Jr., GK
Second Team*
Tate Jordan, American, Sr., F
Corinne Lyght, Lehigh, Fr., F
Caitlin Doran, Navy, Fr., F
Lauren Drysdale, Army West Point, Jr., M
Lily Matthews, Boston University, So., M
Julianna Stureman, Boston University, Jr., M
Baylee DeSmit, Loyola Maryland, Fr., M
Katie Hermann, Navy, So., M
Asia Horne, American, Sr., D
Claire Mensi, Bucknell, Sr., D
Chloe Dawson, Navy, So., D
Mattie Gallagher, Navy, So., GK
Third Team
Amy Thompson, Boston University, Sr., F
Geovanna Pereira, Boston University, Jr., F
Ava Schaller, Lehigh, So., F
Abby Gearhart, Bucknell, Jr., M
Ryelle Shuey, Lehigh, Jr., M
Courtney Supp, Lehigh, Sr., M
Emma Richey, Army West Point, Jr., D
Ashley Buck, Boston University, Jr., D
Elle Conlin, Boston University, Sr., D
Alex Searing, Loyola Maryland, Jr., D
Jenna Hall, Bucknell, So., GK
Follow Along
For complete coverage of Army West Point women's soccer, follow the Black Knights on Twitter and Instagram at @ArmyWP_WSoccer and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.
Drysdale, a midfielder, was named to the Second Team, while Richey earned a spot on the Third Team as a defender. This is the third career honor for Drysdale, while the accolade is the first of Richey's career.
"First and foremost, we are so proud of our entire squad in achieving what we set out to do from day one and get ourselves into the conference tournament," head coach Tracy Chao said. "What an exciting and competitive season for the Patriot League as it took the final matches and final minutes for teams to be seeded. Lauren and Emma's recognition are certainly warranted in their performances during this season, but they are just two of the solid pieces of our entire 32-player team.
A three-year starter, Drysdale has been a consistent force in the midfield for the Cadets this season. With the third-most minutes played on the team (1348), she has been referred to by Chao as the team's "connector". The Irvine, Calif. native recorded her first goal of the season during the thrilling, 2-1 victory over Colgate when she converted her second career penalty kick. Additionally, she became just the sixth Patriot League player to score against Boston University this season when she did so in Wednesday night's contest. A team captain, she has the fourth-most points on the team (six) thanks to an additional pair of assists.
"Lauren no doubt is a facilitator and a true engine for us in the midfield with how play runs through her," Chao said. "And as a Cow [junior], she took on another major role as a captain. Those at West Point understand that being a captain here is unlike having the role anywhere else with its major responsibilities beyond the program itself. And, over the course of the season, her impact on the field has helped her find true joy and grow as a person, teammate and leader. It has been really amazing to see."
Richey has been a significant contributor in her junior season with the Black Knights and has started in all 17 of the team's matches. The Chandler, Ariz. native leads the Cadets in minutes-played (1593) and has anchored a defense that has allowed the sixth-lowest goals in the Patriot League (22), despite its change to an entirely new back line from a year ago. Richey also recorded an assist during the dominant 5-1 victory at Holy Cross, boosting an offense that scored the most single-game goals in a conference outing this year.
"Without question, Emma Richey has grown as a player in being our anchor in the backline," Chao added. "But honestly, it has been how she approached this season from the first day until now that has been nothing but consistent in championing her role with her attitude, work and focus. She is an ultimate leader by example with compassion and standards."
Drysdale, Richey and the rest of the Black Knights are gearing up for the start of the 2021 Patriot League Championship, which is set to kick off with quarterfinal matches on Sunday, Oct. 31. No. 6 Army will travel to No. 3 Loyola Maryland to face off against the Greyhounds at 2 p.m. For further details regarding the tournament, click HERE.
2021 Women's Soccer All-Patriot League and Major Awards
Offensive Player of the Year – Rylee Donaldson, Bucknell, Jr., F
Defensive Player of the Year – Jenna Oldham, Boston University, Sr., D
Midfielder of the Year – Hannah Pinkus, Colgate, Sr., M
Goalkeeper of the Year – Paige Sim, Loyola Maryland, Jr., GK
Rookie of the Year – Alexa Riddle, Navy, Fr., F
Coach of the Year – Nancy Feldman, Boston University
First Team
Abby McNulty, Boston University, So., F
Rylee Donaldson, Bucknell, Jr., F
Ally Giovino, Colgate, So., F
Alexa Riddle, Navy, Jr., F
Teresa Deda, Bucknell, Fr., M
Hannah Pinkus, Colgate, Sr., M
Victoria Tran, Navy, Sr., M
Jenna Oldham, Boston University, Sr., D
Ruby Diodati, Colgate, Sr., D
Erin Keefe, Lehigh, Sr., D
Paige Sim, Loyola Maryland, Jr., GK
Second Team*
Tate Jordan, American, Sr., F
Corinne Lyght, Lehigh, Fr., F
Caitlin Doran, Navy, Fr., F
Lauren Drysdale, Army West Point, Jr., M
Lily Matthews, Boston University, So., M
Julianna Stureman, Boston University, Jr., M
Baylee DeSmit, Loyola Maryland, Fr., M
Katie Hermann, Navy, So., M
Asia Horne, American, Sr., D
Claire Mensi, Bucknell, Sr., D
Chloe Dawson, Navy, So., D
Mattie Gallagher, Navy, So., GK
Third Team
Amy Thompson, Boston University, Sr., F
Geovanna Pereira, Boston University, Jr., F
Ava Schaller, Lehigh, So., F
Abby Gearhart, Bucknell, Jr., M
Ryelle Shuey, Lehigh, Jr., M
Courtney Supp, Lehigh, Sr., M
Emma Richey, Army West Point, Jr., D
Ashley Buck, Boston University, Jr., D
Elle Conlin, Boston University, Sr., D
Alex Searing, Loyola Maryland, Jr., D
Jenna Hall, Bucknell, So., GK
Follow Along
For complete coverage of Army West Point women's soccer, follow the Black Knights on Twitter and Instagram at @ArmyWP_WSoccer and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
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