WASHINGTON — La Salle, Saint Louis, Dayton, George Washington, and Loyola Chicago all earned major postseason awards for 2026, announced Wednesday by the Atlantic 10 conference office. The six major awards, along with All-Conference teams, the All-Rookie team, and the All-Academic Team, were selected based on regular season performance.
 
La Salle forward Justyce Hollenbach was tabbed with Offensive Player of the Year, while teammate Rylee Henson earned Defensive Player of the Year. Dayton’s Liv Grenda earned Midfielder of the Year, Loyola Chicago’s Allison Deardorff landed Goalkeeper of the Year, and George Washington’s Sophia Michel grabbed Rookie of the Year. Saint Louis’ Katie Shields landed Coach of the Year honors.

Justyce Hollenbach earns Offensive Player of the Year after a career year in Philadelphia. The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native led the A10 in goals with 14 in the regular season, five more than the next closest. Hollenbach did most of her damage when it was most needed. The graduate forward scored nine of her 14 goals in conference play, including a six-game scoring streak where she tallied eight goals. Her efforts led La Salle to a 6-2-2 league record and the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic 10 women’s soccer tournament.
 
Hollenbach’s teammate, Rylee Henson, claimed Defensive Player of the Year honors after a stellar year on the back line. Henson anchored a defense that allowed just 12 goals in conference play, while ranking second in the conference in average goal margin at 1.30. Her 1,666 minutes played led all La Salle field players, leading to healthy offensive statistics too. Henson added two goals and seven assists (11 points) to help boost a great La Salle offense. Her six assists in conference play ranks second in the league.
 
For the second straight year, the Flyers’ Liv Grenda landed Midfielder of the Year. Bridging the gap between offense and defense, Grenda provided two goals and four assists (eight points) to help a Dayton offense that ranked third in A10 play in goals with 16. She also helped on the back end, adding to a defense that allowed five goals in league play. Grenda also ranks fourth on Dayton in minutes played with 1,554. Grenda’s efforts have the Flyers on a five-match win streak, staying undefeated since September 10.
 
Allison Deardorff led the way for the Ramblers in what was perhaps the best defense in the conference. Deardorff had a nation-leading 11 shutouts for Loyola Chicago, leading to just five goals allowed and a 4-1-5 A10 record. Deardorff was also second in the conference in goals against average (0.68) and third in save percentage (.840) across the year. Deardorff led the Ramblers to the No. 6 seed in the Atlantic 10 women’s soccer tournament.  
 
Sophia Michel was a large reason why the Revolutionaries made the A10 tournament as the No. 7 seed. Michel was second in the league in goals scored at nine, while leading all rookies in the statistic as well. Seven of her nine goals came in A10 play (second in the conference) while she ranked top seven in shots on goal (14) and points (14) in league play. The Bowie, Maryland native will look to build on a very successful year heading towards 2027.
 
Katie Shields has the Billikens back as the No. 1 seed in the A10 tournament following a stellar 12-2-5 year (7-0-3 in the A10). The Billikens rank top three in every major offensive category while allowing a league-low four goals against conference opponents. Shields has been one of the best coaches in the country since taking over 15 years ago. Saint Louis is eying its eighth conference championship in nine years as they sit as this year’s top seed.
 
The awards were announced ahead of the A10 Women’s Soccer Championship semifinals, taking place on Wednesday, Nov. 11. No. 2 seed Dayton hosts No. 3 La Salle at 7 p.m. ET. as No. 1 seed Saint Louis will host No. 5 Rhode Island at 8 p.m. ET.
 
2026 Atlantic 10 Women’s Soccer Awards:
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Justyce Hollenbach, La Salle
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Rylee Henson, La Salle
MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR:  Liv Grenda, Dayton
GOALIE OF THE YEAR: Allison Deardorff, Loyola Chicago
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Sophia Michel, George Washington
COACH OF THE YEAR: Katie Shields, Saint Louis

FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Forwards
Laney Smith, Dayton
Justyce Hollenbach, La Salle
Shiloh Moore, La Salle
Hope Kim, Saint Louis
 
Midfielders
Liv Grenda, Dayton
Ella Cadigan, La Salle
Ashley Miller, Saint Louis
 
Defenders
Bre Mendoza, Dayton
Rylee Henson, La Salle
Camille Welker, Saint Louis
 
Goalkeeper
Allison Deardorff, Loyola Chicago
 
SECOND-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Forwards
Julia Acosta, Fordham
Zoe Hevey, Loyola Chicago
Audrey Smith, Saint Louis
 
Midfielders
Lauryn Contini, Dayton
Sophia Michel, George Washington
Courtney Poon, Rhode Island
Ava Rademeyer, Saint Louis
 
Defenders
Catherine Cline, Loyola Chicago
Lily Camacho, Rhode Island
Caroline Fowlkes, Saint Louis
 
Goalkeeper
Pepper Escher, Saint Louis
 
ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Reese Gallagher, Dayton
Delaney Rollins, Dayton
Shiloh Moore, La Salle
Kylie Beauregard, George Mason
Sophia Michel, George Washington
Ella Provost-Heron, George Washington
Molly Merkel, Rhode Island
Lauren Lebo, Saint Joseph’s
Lucy Marsh, Saint Louis
Lauren Zangara, Saint Louis
Monique McEnhimer, VCU
 
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
Olivia Bestic, Davidson
Liv Grenda, Dayton
Laney Smith, Dayton
Ali Hughes, Duquesne
Kalia Kau, George Washington
Ella Cadigan, La Salle
Rylee Henson, La Salle
Allison Deardorff, Loyola Chicago
Nika Jacobs, Rhode Island
Ava Rademeyer, Saint Louis
Audrey Smith, Saint Louis
Camille Welker, Saint Louis