SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 5, 2026) – The Conference of New England (CNE) has announced its 2026 Women's Soccer All-Conference selections, with two members of the Western New England University women's soccer team earning recognition for their performances throughout the season. Senior forward Liza Pinette earned First Team honors, while sophomore midfielder Ava dos Santos was named to the Third Team.
Pinette led the Golden Bears' attack throughout the 2026 campaign, earning First Team recognition after delivering one of her most productive offensive seasons. The Acushnet, Massachusetts, native recorded 12 goals and one assist for 25 points across 16 appearances, starting every game. Her 12 goals and 25 points highlighted her ability to consistently turn attacking opportunities into production for the Golden Bears. Pinette recorded 42 shots, putting 23 on target, and finished with a .286 shooting percentage and a .548 shots-on-goal percentage. She also registered four game-winning goals, and two hat-tricks, demonstrating her ability to deliver in important moments. Her speed, finishing ability, and consistent presence in the starting lineup made her a key component of WNE's offense throughout the season.
Dos Santos earned Third Team recognition after contributing to the Golden Bears' efforts in the midfield. The Newington, Connecticut, native helped facilitate WNE's attack, including recording an assist in the team's 6-0 victory over UMass-Dartmouth on Sept. 8. Dos Santos set up Sophia Scyocurka for an early goal in that contest, helping the Golden Bears establish momentum in a decisive home victory. In addition, dos Santos picked up two goals and two other assists for three total (7 total points). She recorded 1,312 minutes of game time and only took four shots on goal, scoring on half of those. Her selection to the CNE Third Team recognizes her contributions to the program during her sophomore season.
The All-Conference selections highlight the individual accomplishments of Pinette and dos Santos while recognizing their contributions to Western New England's 2026 campaign. Both Golden Bears played important roles in the team's efforts throughout the season, representing WNE among the conference's recognized student-athletes.
