A solid defense was a hallmark for the women's soccer team at the University of Rochester in the 2021 season. Two people who played vital roles in that defense have been named to the All-Region Team by the United Soccer Coaches.
 
Senior goalkeeper Emma Schechter (Bellair, FL/Largo) was named First Team All-Region III and sophomore back Megan Pung (Loveland, OH/Mount Notre Dame) was named Third Team All-Region. Voting was conducted by the head coaches of the women's soccer teams in the region.
 
It is the third All-Region honor for Schechter and the first for Pung. Earlier in the fall, they were both named Second Team All-UAA by the University Athletic Association coaches. Additionally, Schechter was named First Team All-District by the College Sports Information Directors of America. She is a candidate for Academic All-America honors.
 
Rochester fashioned a 6-5-5 won-lost-tied record against one of Division III's most challenging schedules. The Yellowjackets played teams ranked #2, #3, #7, #8, #15, #21, and #23 (twice). Eight of the 16 games came against teams considered among the elite in Division III women's soccer circles.
 
Schechter accumulated a 5-4-5 record and 0.75 goals-against-average in 14 starts. She allowed just 11 goals all season, earned six solo shutouts, and shared two additional shutouts. In 1,327 minutes played, she had a save percentage of .847. She was honored twice as the UAA Defensive Player of the Week. She posted double-digit saves twice – at #2 William Smith and at #7 Chicago. Rochester tied the Herons 0-0 (Schechter had 11 saves) and knotted Chicago 1-1 (Schechter had 10 saves). Rochester held two other teams – Brockport and NYU – to one goal. Over the last six games of the season (Rochester was 1-2-3), Schechter posted double-overtime shutouts against #15 Carnegie Mellon, #8 Case Western Reserve, and #21 Emory. Six UAA teams made the NCAA playoffs. Chicago and Case Reserve advanced to the Elite 8.
 
Pung anchored the Yellowjacket back line this season.. She led all UR players in minutes played, logging 1,374 minutes, nearly 300 more than the closest field player. She started all 16 games and finished with two goals and one assist for five points. She scored the gamewinning goal in a 2-0 victory at Houghton College in late October and also scored in a victory at Waynesburg in late September. Rochester's defense held 11 opponents to a goal or less (in 16 outings). Four of those shutouts came against ranked opponents.