August 26, 2022
Metuchen, NJ — The United Women’s Soccer East Conference provided high-level entertainment throughout the season, with three competitive division races ensuring playoff berths came down to the wire. Ultimately, FC Buffalo emerged as the conference’s champion for the first time, thanks to Offensive Player of the Year Carissima Cutrona and Coach of the Year Nikki Bartholomew. Rochester Lancers’ Katie Cappelletti claimed the award for the conference’s best goalkeeper, while Marcela Robinson of Coppermine United emerged as the Defender of the Year.
East Conference Goalkeeper of the Year – Katie Cappelletti (Rochester Lancers)
Katie Cappelletti provided the defensive platform Rochester Lancers needed to surge up the table in 2022. She helped her side post seven clean sheets, the most in the East — including six consecutive shutouts to close out the season. Cappelletti made a habit of coming up in big moments, saving penalties and stonewalling attempts from point-blank range to help her side finish with 23 points.
East Conference Defensive Player of the Year – Marcela Robinson (Coppermine United)
Marcela Robinson claimed the Defensive Player of the Year award after helping Coppermine United win the Mid-Atlantic Division in its debut season. A key leadership presence at the back, Robinson combined stout defending with technical skill, completing the vast majority of her passes. She played every minute of every game as Coppermine United completed the season having allowed only 10 goals in 12 games.
East Conference Offensive Player of the Year – Carissima Cutrona (FC Buffalo)
Carissima Cutrona provided the attacking firepower behind an outstanding season for FC Buffalo, earning her Offensive Player of the Year honors. Cutrona helped her squad to an East Conference title with nine goals and seven assists in 13 games. She played a pivotal part in leading an attacking unit that included several inexperienced young talents in what was a second consecutive dominant campaign for the forward.
East Conference Coach of the Year – Nikki Bartholomew (FC Buffalo)
Nikki Bartholomew of FC Buffalo won the East Conference Coach of the Year award for the second season running. After leading FC Buffalo to the East Conference regular-season title in its inaugural season in 2021, Bartholomew and her team went a step further in 2022. A Penn-NY Division championship was the first step, followed by a pair of playoff victories to secure the club’s first trip to the UWS National Championship.
2022 UWS East Conference First Team
GK – Katie Cappelletti (Rochester Lancers)
D – Marcela Robinson (Coppermine United)
D – Tess Ford, (FC Buffalo)
D – Laci Lewis (New England Mutiny)
D – Riley Rumbley (Coppermine United)
M – Jackie Richards (Lancaster Inferno)
M – Jenna Kalwa (Connecticut Fusion)
F – Carissima Cutrona (FC Buffalo)
F – Cat Berry (New England Mutiny)
F – Katie Krohn (Albany Rush)
F – DJ Thiam (FC Buffalo)
2022 UWS East Conference Second Team
GK – Emily Kelly (FC Buffalo)
D – Marissa DiGenova (Lancaster Inferno)
D – Mackenzie Meixner (Paisley Athletic)
D – Caroline Kopp (Rochester Lancers)
M – Erin Stevenson (Coppermine United)
F – Halle Engle (Keystone FC)
F – Brooklyn Respecki (Erie Commodores)
F – Dana Young (New Jersey Copa FC)
F – Kira Maguire (Scorpions SC)
F – Kacey Lawrence (Connecticut Fusion)
F – Hope Santaniello (New England Mutiny)
Iron Women of the Year
(played every minute of every match in the regular season)
D – Marissa DiGenova (Lancaster Inferno)
D – Mackenzie Meixner (Paisley Athletic)