ONEONTA, N.Y. -- The SUNYAC released its 2026 women's basketball All-Conference teams and end-of-season awards including Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Coaching Staff of the Year, on Wednesday. Oneonta women's basketball's freshman Kayla Beaudoin (Brunswick, NY/Tamarac) was named the conference's Rookie of the Year, while senior Lidia Boucher (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central) received All-SUNYAC Third Team recognition. These awards are nominated and voted on by the 10 conference coaches.

Beaudoin became the third Red Dragon in program history to win the SUNYAC Rookie of the Year, joining Leanne Corso '20 (2016-17) and Shannon Weir '09 (2005-06).

"Much of what Kayla contributed to the team was not found on the stat sheet," Head Coach Daphne Thompson commented. "She contributed quickly to both ends of the floor. Her steady presence on the court and her understanding of the game allowed her to step into a role that influenced our success."

Beaudoin started 23 of the 25 games she appeared in for Oneonta this season and was third on the team with 7.2 points per game. She had nine games with at least 10 points, two with 15 or more, and she dropped a career-high 17 points with five rebounds and three steals against Hartwick.

The Brunswick, N.Y.-native led the team this season with an .830 free throw percentage (39-for-47), was second with 42 assists, and fourth with 20 steals and 21 three-pointers made. In conference play, Beaudoin started 16 of 17 games and averaged 7.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.8 steals per game. She scored a league-high 15 points with a career-high four steals against Oswego.


Boucher capped off her career by earning her first All-Conference selection. She started all 26 games she played for the Red Dragons and was second on the team with 11.0 points per game. The Oneonta senior was also second on the team with 44 steals, third with 35 assists, and fourth with 5.3 rebounds a game. She recorded two double-doubles this season, had 15 games with at least 10 points, nine with 15 or more, and she dropped a career-high 20 points against Oswego. The Delmar, N.Y.-native also had seven games with at least eight rebounds and another seven games with three steals or more.

"It is a well-deserved award for Lidia!" Coach Thompson exclaimed. "Her commitment to the four-year evolution of her game was exceptional. This is what every coach wants for their athlete, the recognition for pushing through adversity and staying the course to reach success!"

In conference play, Boucher started in 17 games and led the Red Dragons with 11.6 points per game, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals. In Oneonta's first round game of the conference tournament, Boucher co-led the game with 18 points, eight rebounds, and two steals to help the team defeat three seeded Canton on the road, 67-55.

Beaudoin and Boucher led the Red Dragons to the SUNYAC Semifinals for the first time since 2022-23 after they went 9-9 in conference play and earned the six seed in the conference tournament. Oneonta ended the season with an overall record of 15-12.