Four players from the St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s soccer team received 2024 United Soccer Coaches All-Region IV honors on Tuesday, November 3. This marks a significant milestone for the program, which last saw all-region recognition in 2016.
Senior Morgan Kresslein (Manchester, Md./Manchester Valley) and first-year Kyleigh Bland (Arnold, Md./Broadneck) were named to the Second Team All-Region IV. Sophomore Allie Petryszak (Baltimore, Md./Mercy) and first-year Alyssa McClane (Port Republic, Md./Calvert) earned Third Team honors. These accolades are first-time honors for all four players.
A Return to Regional Prominence
The recognition marks the program’s return to regional prominence, with 14 all-region awards now credited to 11 players in the history of St. Mary’s women’s soccer. The last player to receive this honor was Gillian Sawyer ’17, who earned First Team All-South Atlantic Region recognition in 2016.
Spotlight on Individual Achievements
Kyleigh Bland
Bland had a standout rookie season as a goalkeeper, earning First Team All-United East Conference honors. She led the league with a .31 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage, along with nine solo shutouts. Bland’s performance ranks her second in NCAA Division III for save percentage, fifth in goals-against average, and 16th in shutouts.
Morgan Kresslein
Kresslein, a 5-6 midfielder, earned Third Team All-United East Conference honors for the first time this season. She contributed three goals and an assist, including a decisive game-winning goal in the United East semifinals against Penn College (Nov. 6).
Allie Petryszak
The 5-3 defender notched four goals this season, three of which were game-winners. Her standout moments included the overtime-winning goal in the United East quarterfinals against Lancaster Bible College (Nov. 2). Petryszak also played a crucial role in the team’s school-record 18 shutouts and was named First Team All-United East.
Alyssa McClane
McClane, a 5-1 forward, made an immediate impact on the Seahawks’ offensive line. She tied for the team lead with eight goals and 18 points, including three game-winning goals. Her contributions helped propel the team to its historic season.
A Season to Remember
The Seahawks achieved record-breaking success in 2024. The team set school records with 17 wins, 18 shutouts, and 65 goals scored, finishing with an impressive 17-2-4 overall record and a 7-0-1 mark in conference play. St. Mary’s advanced to the United East tournament championship game and secured its second-ever berth in the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championship Tournament.
This remarkable season cements St. Mary’s women’s soccer as a force in Division III competition, with the contributions of Bland, Kresslein, Petryszak, and McClane playing a pivotal role in the team’s success.
