SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Four members of the Shepherd University women's soccer team have been named to the 2024 D2CCA Women's Soccer All-Atlantic Region Team. Senior midfielder Delaney Bittner (York, Pa./Red Lion Area Senior), senior midfielder Sarah Peternel (Wolfeboro, NH/Virtual Learning Academy Charter School/University of New Hampshire), and sophomore midfielder Annabelle Wunderlich (Red Lion, Pa./Dallastown Area) were first team selections, while junior forward Lydia Gable (Felton, Pa./Kennard Dale) earned second team honors.

Bittner, a first team All-PSAC East choice, has started in all 22 games for the Rams. The 2024 PSAC East Defender of the Year has anchored a Shepherd defense that has recorded a record 10 shutouts on the year and has allowed just one goal in 10 contests. Bittner has added three assists for three points this season.

Peternel, a second team All-PSAC East choice, has appeared and started in 21 games for the Rams. She has recorded 10 goals and four assists for 24 points this season. Her five game-winning goals tie Lydia Gable for the team lead. She was named 2024 PSAC Tournament Most Valuable Player after recording four goals and two assists in the tourney. She scored the game-winners in the opening game against Bloomsburg and in the finals against Kutztown.

Wunderlich, a first team All-PSAC East selection, has appeared and started in 22 games. She has recorded eight goals and six assists for 22 points. She tallied three game-winning goals and assisted on Peternel's game-winning goal in the PSAC Championship game.

Gable, a first team All-PSAC East choice, has appeared in 22 games with 21 starts, She leads the Rams in scoring with 12 goals and seven assists for 31 points. Her five game-winning goals tie Peternel for the team lead. She scored the game-winner in Shepherd's 2-1 win over West Virginia State in second round action of the NCAA II Atlantic Regionals.

Top-seeded Shepherd carries a 17-1-4 record into the NCAA II Atlantic Regional finals against second-seeded Gannon (16-1-4) on Sunday. Action is slated to begin at 1 p.m. at Shepherd.

2024 D2CCA Women's Soccer Atlantic Region Awards
D2CCA Atlantic Region Player of the Year: Sydney Tucker, Senior, Concord University, Raleigh, N.C.
D2CCA All-Atlantic Region First Team Pos Name School YR Hometown
F Sydney Tucker Concord Sr. Raleigh, N.C.
F Brooklyn Respecki (2023-1) Gannon So. McKean, Pa.
F Juliette Lucas (2023-1) Charleston So. Dunedin, New Zealand
F Sandra Linares West Virginia State Gr. Madrid, Spain
M Grace Emanuel (2023-1) Gannon So. Erie, Pa.
M Annabelle Wunderlich Shepherd So. Red Lion, Pa.
M Lina Jaime (2023-1) Charleston Sr. Bogota, Colombia
M Sarah Peternel Shepherd Sr. Wolfeboro, N.H.
D Cat Smith (2023-1) Frostburg State Sr. Parsonsburg, Md.
D Delaney Bittner Shepherd Sr. York, Pa.
D Bridget Curtis (2023-1, 2021-1) Kutztown Sr. Warrington, Pa.
D Destinee Robertson Gannon Jr. Lacey, Wash.
GK Samantha Merklin Bloomsburg Jr. Effort, Pa.
 
D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Second Team Pos Name School Yr Hometown
F Faith Matter (2023-1, 2022-1) West Chester Jr. Middletown, Pa.
F Lydia Gable Shepherd Jr. Felton, Pa.
F Hannah Scardina Indiana (Pa.) Gr. Indiana, Pa.
F Sara París Fílter West Virginia State Fr. Barcelona, Spain
M Marika Svensson Concord Fr. Jaegerspris, Denmark
M Mary DiFonzo (2023-2, 2022-2) Wheeling Sr. Oakville, Ontario Canada
M Carly Gillette Frostburg State Jr. Gainesville, Va.
M Gabby Boden Gannon Sr. Butler, Pa.
D Hannah Shepard Gannon So. Erie, Pa.
D Maxima Bellscheidt (2023-2) West Virginia State Sr. Wuppertal, Germany
D Leah Fleming Concord Sr. Arbroath, Scotland
D Erin Ranegan Bloomsburg Sr. Wilmington, Del.
GK Morgan Sinan Gannon Gr. Cranberry Twp., Pa.
( ) – Indicates previous all-region appearances