TOWSON, Md. --- The Moravian University women’s soccer team has had junior defender Hailey Scaff honored as the 2023 Landmark Women’s Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Year, and she was named to the Landmark All-Conference First Team while juniors forward Carly Pyatt, midfielder Anika Buzzy and defender Cori Pursel made the All-Conference Second Team and junior midfielder Sydney DeFranco was an Honorable Mention selection.
The Greyhounds, under the direction of tenth year Head Coach Jeff Ykork, posted an 8-5-4 record this fall including a 5-2-2 mark in the Landmark Conference regular season to capture the fourth seed in the Landmark Conference Tournament, the Hounds first postseason appearance since 2021 and fifth under Ykork, who earned his 150th career win as a collegiate coach in 2023.
Scaff netted her first career goal this season on a penalty kick, and she added an assist. Scaff also anchored the Moravian defense that recorded seven shutouts and allowed just 0.88 goals per match. In her career as a three-year starter, Scaff has a goal and two assists.
“Hailey had a great year for us,” stated Ykoruk. “She was our leader in the back and kept our backline in check. She provided us a sense of calm while in possession, and her ability to break pressure by passing and also off the dribble is such a significant threat to have.”
Scaff is the third Greyhound to be named the Landmark Conference Defensive Athlete of the Year, joining defenders Lauren Bertucci in 2017 and Eileen Black in 2012.
“What a great and deserving honor for Hailey to be the Landmark Defensive Athlete of the Year,” continued Ykoruk. “She deserves this and works so hard every day. She has a professional approach to training and games and is a complete defender. Her 1v1 defending skills are at a very high level, and when in possession of the ball, she turns into our quarterback and provides our midfielders and forwards with great entry passes. Her dedication to the weight room and offseason does not go unnoticed. She gets excellent reviews from Coach Tom and Ty and can be found in the fitness center daily working on her fitness and strength.”
Pyatt led the Greyhounds in scoring in 2023 as she netted six goals and added an assist. She has registered seven goals and an assist in her career with a pair of game-winning goals.
“I’m very happy for Carly.” Ykoruk said. “She works extremely hard and has improved each season. Her fitness level and strength allow her to play 80-plus minutes each game for us without seeing a drop in her level of play. She led the team in goals and was our top-scoring threat for most of the season.”
Buzzy contributed a goal as she returned to the line-up this fall after missing all of 2022 due to an injury. Buzzy has a pair of goals for the Blue & Grey with one game-winning goal.
“I’m excited that Anika was named to the All-Conference team,” commented Ykoruk. “All of the hard work she put in recovering from her ACL injury last year has paid off. She was very focused during her rehab and was able to channel all of her energy into getting back to being the best athlete she could be.”
Pursel was part of the Greyhounds defense along with Scaff that allowed just 119 shots in 16 matches this fall. She has scored one goal in 48 career matches.
“Cori took a positive step forward in her game this year,” noted Ykoruk. “She had a great summer with her fitness level, which directly impacted her play on the field. Her distribution out of the back was a key component for us this season, along with being a standout 1v1 defender.”
DeFranco was tied for second on the squad in scoring with three goals and an assist this season. DeFranco has four goals and an assist in her career with one game-winning marker.
“Sydney is deserving of this honor,” stated Ykoruk. “She is always seeking extra training on her own or with the staff. She is an excellent example of a player who fills the other half of the glass of development on her own time.”
To view the full 2023 Landmark Women’s Soccer All-Conference Teams, visit https://landmarkconference.
