Sofilkanich Wins Patriot League Player of the Year, Named to All-Defensive & First Team, Zemitis Selected to Rookie Team

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Ashley Sofilkanich dominated the Patriot League all year, leading Bucknell to a tie for fourth place, and the conference voters rewarded the star sophomore with Player of the Year honors and slots on the All-Defensive and All-PL First Teams. Reese Zemitis made waves as a sharpshooting freshman and notched a spot on the All-Rookie Team.

The Bison women have collected 27 First Team honors in its rich history. Sofilkanich became the fifth Bison to win Player of the Year joining Bucknell legends Molly Creamer (2000-2001, 2001-2002, and 2002-03), Hope Foster (2006-07), Claire DeBoer (2016-17), and Ellie Mack (2019-20) in receiving the league's highest honor.

"Ashley has had a historic season, and what she's done to elevate our team is incredible," said head coach Trevor Woodruff. "She affects the game at both ends of the court, and no player in the Patriot League was more valuable to their team than she has been to us. I'm proud of her development and excited about her potential to become one of the best players in Patriot League history."

Sofilkanich headlined the conference all season, averaging a league-high 19.6 points per game and topping the loop in blocks per game (2.3), double-doubles (10), field goals made (220), and points (569). She finished third in field goal percentage (.502), rebounds per game (8.5), and total rebounds (247). She collected a league-high five Patriot League Player of the Week awards

In conference contests, her output only increased in magnitude. She led the league in multiple categories: blocks per game (2.1), field goals made (144), points per game (20.2), and points (362). Sofilkanich finished third in field goal percentage (.512) and rebounds per game (8.4). As conference foes started to install standing double-teams and even occasional triple teams, Sofilkanich transitioned into a facilitator distributing a point-guard like 3.8 assists per game.

She resides in the national rankings for blocks per game (12th), field goals made (19th), points per game (25th), free throws (50th), and rebounds (86th).

"As Ashley's position coach, it has been an honor to see her elevate her game across the board," said Bucknell assistant coach and former WNBA player Sherill Baker. "She helps her teammates in so many ways and is so impactful to and for our team. She has so much greatness in store, and this prestigious award is only the beginning."

Sofilkanich tallied 18 20+ point games in 29 contests, including a career-high 44 points against Colgate (1/22/25) to set the Sojka Pavilion record and tie Creamer's Bucknell single-game record. She scored 29 against American (1/11/25) and 27 against Fairleigh Dickinson (11/13/24). She also set a second Sojka record in blocked shots (9) versus Youngstown State.

"I was so happy to hear the news of Ashley receiving the Player of the Year award," said Creamer. "It is such an honor to receive that award. Ashley is young, hard-working, and incredibly talented - the future is bright for her and the Bucknell program! I can't wait to watch Ashley and the team continue to soar. I wish them all the luck in the world as they prepare to take on Colgate! Congratulations Ashley! It is well-deserved!"

Her statistical accomplishments have cemented the sophomore's place in the Bison record book. In single-season categories, her 2024-25 stats are third in field goals made (220), fifth in blocks (68), points per game (19.6) and points (569), and tenth in free throws made (124).

Career-wise, she already ranks fourth in blocked shots (128) and points per game (15.9) and will undoubtedly ascend into other categories during the forthcoming campaigns. Sofilkanich, in two seasons, threatens to break into the 1000-point club, having scored 957 in 60 games, and should the Bison make a run in the Patriot League Tournament, can cross the threshold this year.

Bucknell has placed a freshman on the All-Rookie Team for four consecutive years - a testament to Coach Woodruff's excellent recruiting and player development. The program owns the Patriot League record for most All-Rookie selections (27). Bucknell and Holy Cross entered the 2023-24 campaign tied for first with 26.

Zemitis joins that club, having made an immediate impact as the Bison's most prolific three-point shooter. The freshman has drained 59 long-distance shots, ranking fourth overall in the conference, despite missing two games due to injury and not breaking into the starting lineup until the final non-conference game. In Patriot League play, she made 45 treys - a fearless shooter, her current total slots seventh in Bucknell single-season history.

"Reese's emergence was vital to our overall success and elevation into the top half of the league standings," said Woodruff. "Above and beyond her basketball gifts, which are many, she has elite character, coachability, and the ability to unite the people around her. She will be at the core of our success for years to come, and that is very exciting."

The rookie, inserted into the starting lineup against Hofstra because of injuries, became a constant starter. She christened her chance with five straight double-digit performances, including a career-high 16 points against Lafayette (1/8/25). After three games where she only scored ten total points, Zemitis adjusted to the new attention and started a streak of eight games with double-digit efforts. She finished the season with 14 double-digit performances, averaging 9.8 points per game and collecting 264 points. Zemitis supplied a defensive presence with 25 steals and 87 boards. She pulled down a career-high 11 against Colgate (1/5/25), along with tallying 14 points for her first career double-double.

Zemitis's three-point shooting has carved out a national presence. The rookie ranks 87th in three-point percentage (.369), 103rd in three-pointers per game (2.19), and 146th in overall three-pointers (59).

The Bison and their All-League performers, because of tiebreakers, earned the sixth seed in the Patriot League Tournament. Bucknell's run to its fifth title starts Monday night at three-seeded Colgate. The tip is scheduled for 6 p.m., and the game will be streamed on ESPN+. The Orange & Blue swept the season series with Colgate.

2024-25 PenFed Credit Union Patriot League Women's Basketball Major Awards and All-League Teams
Player of the Year – Ashley Sofilkanich, Bucknell, So., F
Defensive Player of the Year – Zanai Barnett-Gay, Navy, So., G
Rookie of the Year – Julianna Almeida, Navy, Fr., G
Coach of the Year – Addie Micir, Lehigh

First-Team All-Patriot League Team
Trinty Hardy, Army West Point, Sr., G
Ashley Sofilkanich, Bucknell, So., F
Taylor Golembiewski, Colgate, Sr., G
Maddie Albrecht, Lehigh, 5th, F
Zanai Barnett-Gay, Navy, So., G

Second-Team All-Patriot League Team
Reese Ericson, Army West Point, Jr., G
Alex Giannaros, Boston University, Sr., G
Lindsay Berger, Holy Cross, Sr., F
Kaitlyn Flanagan, Holy Cross, Jr., G
Ella Stemmer, Lehigh, Sr., G

Third-Team All-Patriot League Team
Fiona Hastick, Army West Point, So., F
Morgan McMahon, Colgate, Sr., G
Anne Bair, Colgate, Jr., G
Abby Antognoli, Lafayette Sr., G
Laura Salmeron, Loyola Maryland, Sr., G

Patriot League All-Defensive Team
Trinity Hardy, Army West Point, Sr., G
Ashley Sofilkanich, Bucknell, So., F
Lindsay Berger, Holy Cross, Sr., F
Maddie Albrecht, Lehigh, 5th, F
Zanai Barnett-Gay, Navy, So., G

Patriot League All-Rookie Team*
Cecilia Kay, American, Fr., F
Allison Schwertner, Boston University, Fr., F
Reese Zemitis, Bucknell, Fr., G
Talia Zurinskas, Lafayette Fr., G
Belle Bramer, Lehigh, Fy., F
Julianna Almeida, Navy, Fr., G
Mary Gibbons, Navy, Fr., G

*Additional student-athletes selected due to a tie in the voting

Sofilkanich Wins Patriot League Player of the Year, Named to All-Defensive & First Team, Zemitis Selected to Rookie Team

Players Mentioned

Ashley Sofilkanich

Reese Zemitis

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