Two members of the William Smith soccer team were named to the 2024 United Soccer Coaches All-America Teams. Defender Marjorie Plants was named to the second team and junior midfielder Ruth Hotaling was selected to the fourth team.
Since 1987, the Herons have had 43 players earn 58 All-America awards from the United Soccer Coaches.
The awards continue to pile up for both Plants and Hotaling. The duo were also named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region III First Team and the All-Liberty League First Team.
Plants, the 2024 Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year, started all 25 games this year. An outside back, she played a key role at both ends of the field. Offensively, Plants is tied for the team lead with six goals and is second with 13 points. She has three game-winning goals, including in William Smith's victory over Washington and Lee in the third round of the NCAA tournament.
Defensively, Plants and the Herons are 46th in the nation in GAA (0.674). William Smith has posted 14 shutouts this season. The Herons' defense has done a tremendous job limiting opponents' shots. Only seven teams recorded double digit shots.
Plants has appeared in 76 career games, recording 25 points on 11 goals and three assists.
Hotaling started all 25 games this season. She paced William Smith with six goals, 12 assists and 24 points. She also has three game-winning goals. She scored both goals in William Smith's 2-0 win over Union. As a midfielder, she played a pivotal role at both ends of the field and assisted in the Herons' transition from defense to offense.
A two-time All-Liberty League selection, Hotaling, played in 66 career games, starting 62. She has accumulated 14 goals, 24 assists and 52 points.
The Herons finished the year with a 17-4-4 overall record and advanced to the National Championship game. It was William Smith's 34th NCAA tournament appearance and sixth trip to the title game. The Herons' 17 wins this season are tied for 10th on William Smith's single-season list.