BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League released its all-conference performers and major award winners for women's soccer on Friday afternoon, with Loyola University Maryland junior Paige Sim recognized as the program's first Goalkeeper of the Year selection since 2012.

Sim was also one of three Greyhounds named All-Patriot League. She was a first team honoree, freshman midfielder Baylee DeSmit landed on the second team and junior defender Alex Searing received third team accolades.

Loyola (8-5-4, 5-1-3 PL) takes a seven-game unbeaten streak into the Patriot League tournament after ending the regular season with four wins and three draws against conference opponents. The Greyhounds are seeded third in the bracket, and they will host No. 6 Army West Point in a home quarterfinal matchup at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Sim (Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista) has been a key contributor to the team's success throughout the season. She has played all but 11 minutes in goal while leading the Patriot League in goals-against average (0.90), save percentage (.824) and shutouts (7). Sim has allowed a total of one goal in Loyola's eight victories this season, and she held opponents to one goal or fewer in 11 of the final 12 regular season contests.

Now a three-time All-Patriot League selection (second team in 2019, third team in Spring 2021), Sim becomes the fourth Greyhound in program history to be named conference Goalkeeper of the Year, joining former MAAC honorees Erin Gilroy (1995, 1996), Julie Kapcala (1999, 2000) and DiDi Haracic (2012). For her career, Sim is 17-9-10 with a 0.69 GAA, a .844 save percentage and 15 shutouts in 35 starts.

DeSmit (Towson, Md./McDonogh) has made an immediate impact in her debut collegiate season, starting 15 of 17 games and leading the Greyhounds with nine points (4 G, 1 A) on the year. She had the primary assist on Ada Clare Tempert's overtime winner over Colgate to begin conference play, and added two important goals late in the regular season. DeSmit provided the only strike in a 1-0 win over Lehigh on Oct. 16, and her first half goal at conference-leading Boston U on Oct. 23 led to a 1-1 draw which clinched Loyola's playoff spot.

Searing (Allentown, N.J./Allentown) is one of six Greyhounds to start every game this season. Typically a midfielder, injuries moved her to center back for Loyola's final five conference contests. Searing excelled in her new role, playing all 490 minutes and leading a backline which surrendered just two goals during that stretch. Searing has logged 1,366 minutes overall while contributing on both sides of the field. She added her first collegiate point against Colgate on Sept. 18, assisting on Kaleigh Gallagher's first-half opener in Loyola's 2-1 victory.

With a victory on Sunday, the Greyhounds would head to No. 2 Navy for a 6 p.m. semifinal matchup on Thursday. No. 4 Bucknell hosts No. 5 Lehigh in Sunday's other quarterfinal at 1 p.m.


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
 
Note: Student-athletes are listed by positions; then alphabetically by institution
* Due to a tie, there are two non-position-specific players on the second team.