2019 United Soccer Division III All-America Teams
Four Liberty League women’s soccer players have been recognized by the United Soccer Coaches Association with the announcement of the association’s Division III Women’s Soccer All-America teams. A pair of William Smith (the 2019 Liberty League champions and national Runner-up) student-athletes—Maialen Martinez and Amanda Adams as well as Skidmore College’s Yasmine Boukari and Ithaca College’s Alex Apifani garnered the All-America distinction.
Martinez was named to the first team, Adams earned a spot on the second team while Boukari and Epifani were third-team honorees.
United Soccer First Team All-America
Maialen Martinez – William Smith
Junior, M, San Sebastian, Spain
A starter in all 24 games this season and a stalwart presence on defense
Martinez helped lead the Herons to the national championship game in December before falling to Messiah. As a team, William Smith finished the year with one of Division III’s top defenses, as they were ranked third nationally in goals against average (0.268) and fifth in shutout percentage (.773). Martinez and the William Smith defense conceded only seven goals while posting a program-best (fourth best nationally) 18 shutouts in 2019. On the offensive end of the field, she recorded eight points on two goals and four assists. A transfer from Division I Arkansas-Little Rock, Martinez, currently a junior at William Smith, has started all 45 games she has played in as a Heron. She has 11 career points on three goals and five assists. Since 1987, William Smith soccer has had 35 players earn 50 All-America awards from the United Soccer Coaches.
United Soccer Second Team All-America
Amanda Adams – William Smith
Junior, M, Rowley, Mass.
Adams appeared in all 24 matches for William Smith this season and made 23 starts this season. The central midfielder was fifth on the team in scoring with six assists and two goals for nine points. Following a pair of shutout victories in the Liberty League Tournament, Adams was named the Most Outstanding Player. She contributed exceptional play on both ends of the field and assisted on the game-winning goal in the conference semifinals. The junior has appeared in 55 career matches at William Smith, starting 39. She has 16 career points on four goals and eight assists. Since 1987, William Smith soccer has had 35 players earn 50 All-America awards from the United Soccer Coaches.
United Soccer Third Team All-America
Yasmine Boukari – Skidmore
Junior, F/M, Winchester, Mass.
Boukari becomes the third All-American in Skidmore women's soccer history and the first for the Thoroughbreds since 2010. Boukari paced the 2019 squad in scoring with five goals and four assists for 14 points in 16 games. Of those five goals, four were game-winning goals, ranking her in a tie for third among league leaders in the category. She was a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-East Region selection following this season and in her four years at Skidmore, she was a three-time Liberty League All-League selection, included two appearances on the first team (2018 and 2019).
Alex Epifani – Ithaca
Junior, M/F, DeWitt, N.Y.
Epifani played and started in 15 games for Ithaca, recording 1,192 total minutes during her junior campaign. She led the team with 16 points after scoring five goals – which was tied for first on the team – and a team-high six assists. Epifani also led the Bombers with four game-winning goals on the season which put her tied for third among Liberty League competition. Her 16 points was fifth in the conference while her 52 shots (3.47 per game) put her in fourth. Epifani was also ranked in the top 10 for shots on goal with 26. Epifani picks up the program's 35th overall All-America honor