Pena Named Region 10 Division II Player of the Year; Women’s Soccer Region Awards Announced

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA — The accolades are beginning to roll in for the Richard Bland College women's soccer program, as freshman standout Rhianna Pena has been named the NJCAA Region 10 Division II Player of the Year following an exceptional debut season. Pena also earned First Team All-Region honors alongside sophomore Shani Priestly, while six additional Statesmen were named to the Second Team All-Region, highlighting a dominant campaign for the program.

Joining Pena and Priestly among the Region 10 elite were Ingrid Garcia, Hailey Gradiska, Jenna Autry, Marta Serrano, Grace Pope, and Piper Whitney, who all secured Second Team All-Region recognition.

Pena emerged as one of the most dynamic offensive players in the region, leading the Statesmen with 12 goals and 26 total points across the 11 matches. She netted two game-winning goals and consistently created scoring opportunities with her pace and precision. In conference play, Pena tailed three goals, cementing her position as the league's top performer.

Priestly was a driving force on both sides of the ball, recording two goals and eight assists to total 12 points while serving as one of the team's most reliable playmakers.

Autry and Pope each contributed five assists apiece to fuel the offense, while Gradiska, Serrano, and Garcia provided critical consistency throughout the midfield and back line. The collective effort of this group helped Richard Bland to an impressive 36 goals in 11 matches, averaging 3.27 goals per game on the season.

Defensively, freshman Piper Whitney anchored the Statesmen in goal, earning all-region honors after posting eight starts in her debut season. Whitney was credited with 23 saves, a .605 save percentage, 1.91 goals against average, and two shutouts on the season.

The Statesmen will kick off the Region 10 Semifinals this afternoon as they will host No. 3 Wake Tech Community College at 2pm.

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