Women’s Soccer’s Deda, Schiano Receive Patriot League Preseason Major Awards, Bison Picked Second in Poll
8/8/2024 11:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Seniors Teresa Deda and Katie Schiano, two highly decorated members of Bucknell's three-time defending Patriot League champion women's soccer team, both picked up major awards on Thursday as the Patriot League released its preseason honors. Deda, who has earned Patriot League Midfielder of the Year honors in each of the last two seasons, earned Preseason Midfielder of the Year honors, while Schiano was picked as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Deda and Schiano also represented Bucknell on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team, and the Bison were picked a close second behind Army West Point in the poll. The Black Knights collected 155 points and 13 first-place votes, while the Bison received 139 points and five first-place votes. Boston University finished third with 136 and the remaining two first-place votes. Loyola (110) and Lehigh (95) rounded out the top five, followed by Navy (79), Colgate (73), Lafayette (47), American (39), and Holy Cross (27).
Bucknell and Army have met in each of the last two Patriot League Tournament finals, with the Bison winning penalty-kick shootouts both times. The Bison defeated Boston University in the 2021 championship match, and they advanced past the Terriers in each of the last two semifinal rounds.
Seven starters return for Bucknell this fall, led by veterans Deda and Schiano. Deda has been an impact player since her arrival in Lewisburg, earning First Team All-Patriot League honors in all three of her collegiate seasons. One of Bucknell's all-time assist leaders, Deda added a career-high nine goals last season, including two against Boston University in the PL semifinals. She added a league-high nine assists, giving her 29 through three seasons. That is already the second-highest total in team history and sixth-highest in Patriot League history.
Over the last three seasons, Bucknell is 23-1-3 when Deda records at least one point, including a 10-0-1 mark last season. In addition to her All-Patriot League honors, Deda was a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-North Region selection last season.
Schiano has locked down the right back position for the Bison after playing forward during an injury-filled freshman season. She started all 21 games last season and earned Second Team All-Patriot League and Patriot League All-Tournament Team honors. Schiano was part of a back line that logged nine shutouts, including a 110-minute clean sheet in the PL final at West Point. The Bison also kept Big Ten champion Iowa off the board for 90 minutes before conceding in overtime in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Schiano also contributed a goal and four assists last season. The goal was the first of her career, coming in a 3-1 away win at La Salle.
Other Patriot League Preseason major honors went to Loyola's Baylee DeSmit (Preseason Offensive Player of the Year) and Army's Sage Strohman (Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year). Joining the major award winners on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team were Army's Kaelan Bradley, Brigid Duffy, and Keira Vesy; Navy's Alexa Riddle; Boston University's Natalie Godoy, Giulianna Gianino and Eileen Solomon; and Colgate's Olivia Anderson.
Bucknell hosts Maryland in a preseason scrimmage on Saturday at 11 a.m., and then the Bison play their first four games of the 2024 season at home. The opener is slated for Thursday, Aug. 15 against La Salle, followed by home fixtures against Delaware (Aug. 18), UMBC (Aug. 22), and No. 7 Pittsburgh (Aug. 25).
Deda and Schiano also represented Bucknell on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team, and the Bison were picked a close second behind Army West Point in the poll. The Black Knights collected 155 points and 13 first-place votes, while the Bison received 139 points and five first-place votes. Boston University finished third with 136 and the remaining two first-place votes. Loyola (110) and Lehigh (95) rounded out the top five, followed by Navy (79), Colgate (73), Lafayette (47), American (39), and Holy Cross (27).
Bucknell and Army have met in each of the last two Patriot League Tournament finals, with the Bison winning penalty-kick shootouts both times. The Bison defeated Boston University in the 2021 championship match, and they advanced past the Terriers in each of the last two semifinal rounds.
Seven starters return for Bucknell this fall, led by veterans Deda and Schiano. Deda has been an impact player since her arrival in Lewisburg, earning First Team All-Patriot League honors in all three of her collegiate seasons. One of Bucknell's all-time assist leaders, Deda added a career-high nine goals last season, including two against Boston University in the PL semifinals. She added a league-high nine assists, giving her 29 through three seasons. That is already the second-highest total in team history and sixth-highest in Patriot League history.
Over the last three seasons, Bucknell is 23-1-3 when Deda records at least one point, including a 10-0-1 mark last season. In addition to her All-Patriot League honors, Deda was a United Soccer Coaches First Team All-North Region selection last season.
Schiano has locked down the right back position for the Bison after playing forward during an injury-filled freshman season. She started all 21 games last season and earned Second Team All-Patriot League and Patriot League All-Tournament Team honors. Schiano was part of a back line that logged nine shutouts, including a 110-minute clean sheet in the PL final at West Point. The Bison also kept Big Ten champion Iowa off the board for 90 minutes before conceding in overtime in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Schiano also contributed a goal and four assists last season. The goal was the first of her career, coming in a 3-1 away win at La Salle.
Other Patriot League Preseason major honors went to Loyola's Baylee DeSmit (Preseason Offensive Player of the Year) and Army's Sage Strohman (Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year). Joining the major award winners on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team were Army's Kaelan Bradley, Brigid Duffy, and Keira Vesy; Navy's Alexa Riddle; Boston University's Natalie Godoy, Giulianna Gianino and Eileen Solomon; and Colgate's Olivia Anderson.
Bucknell hosts Maryland in a preseason scrimmage on Saturday at 11 a.m., and then the Bison play their first four games of the 2024 season at home. The opener is slated for Thursday, Aug. 15 against La Salle, followed by home fixtures against Delaware (Aug. 18), UMBC (Aug. 22), and No. 7 Pittsburgh (Aug. 25).
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's SoccerIn The Herd: Georgetown Game Preview And David LoGrasso Feature
Wednesday, October 22
Bucknell Swimming and Diving Fall Invite Vs. Seton Hall and Binghamton University (10/25/25)
Tuesday, October 21
Navy at Bucknell Women's Soccer Highlights 10-19-2025
Sunday, October 19
Navy at Bucknell Women's Soccer Highlights 10-19-2025
Sunday, October 19