Story Links
BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo State women’s soccer team had their best season in recent years and were rewarded with their first trip to the SUNYAC Playoffs since the 2016 season. Greg Margolis’ squad continued their surge up the conference standings after securing their first winning record since 2016 a season ago.
The Bengals finished the season with a record of 8-10 (5-4 SUNYAC) and made their presence known mid-season going 5-1 to open conference play. Earning five wins on the road this year, Margolis’ squad posted their best road performance since 2016. The Bengals also earned their most wins (8) in a single season and most wins in conference play (5) since 2016.
Individually, the Bengals had a trio write their name into the record books. Olivia Kilmer (Hammondsport, NY/Avoca) led the way with 23 points on the year with 11 goals and one assist. Kilmer’s season earned her Second Team All-SUNYAC honors, and she was also named the SUNYAC Rookie of the Year. Kilmer is the second women’s soccer player ever to earn the honor, joining goalie Taylor Carillo back in 2016. Her goal and point total are also the most in a single season by a rookie in the modern era.
Kaylee Valentic (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) also posted a strong season with 17 points on seven goals and three assists while also earning Second Team All-SUNYAC recognition. Sitting at 53 points for her career, Valentic enters her senior season in 2025 tied for eighth in program history in points with Lynn Maynard (1987-1990) and Jaclyn Bolognese (1999-2001). Rounding out the trio is Ryan Berman (River Edge, NJ/River Dell) who earned Third Team All-SUNYAC this year. The junior captain was a staple in the Buffalo State lineup, picking up a pair of assists and starting in all but two games.
Margolis’ team also continued to get it done in the classroom with five earning Academic All-District. Berman along with Eve DiCarlo (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island), Hannah Esslie (Cairo, NY/Cairo-Durham), Lindsay DePietro (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), and Addy Williams (Grapevine, TX/Grapevine) were recognized, giving Margolis 13 selections in his short tenure.
For Buffalo State, the team certainly took a huge step forward this season. After returning to the SUNYAC Playoffs, the goal now remains to climb back to the top and be crowned SUNYAC Champions for the first time since 2016.
