PHILADELPHIA – Thomas Jefferson University women's soccer senior Nikki Dedes adds another award to her resume as she was named the PhillySIDA Academic All-Area Performer of the Year. Dedes makes the Academic All-Area Team alongside Carly Yeager and Kyra Lesko. Jefferson is tied with the most athletes on the PhillySIDA Academic Team with Swarthmore College while Rowan University and the University of Penn had two athletes apiece. West Chester University and Eastern University saw one player make the list. Lesko was one of seven underclassmen who made the All-Area Team.
 
Dedes makes her second PhillySIDA All-Area Team and earns her first Performer of the Year honors, giving the Rams their second consecutive winner of the award (Liv Riddel earned the honor last season). The United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree sits atop the CACC in total points (34) while tying in assists (10) as she's top 5 in total goals, goals-per-game, points-per-game, and assists-per-game. The reigning CACC Player of the Year hit the 100-point milestone with two goals in the opening match of the NCAA Tournament. Dedes finished the season has 12 goals, 10 assists, 34 points, and 4 game-winning goals on the year. She has started in all 21 appearances for Jefferson.
 
Yeager makes her third Academic All-Area Team in her career after making it back in 2023 and 2024. The United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree has made 21 starts this season for the Rams. Yeager has helped the defense record 14 shutouts this season with a .700 shutout percentage, both tied for fifth in the nation. The three-time CACC Defensive Player of the Year has put pressure on opposing offenses, helping the squad allow 7.3 shots-per-game and .55 goals-per-game. 
 
Lesko secures her first Academic All-Area Team honors. The junior has played all 21 games for the Rams, making 20 starts. Lesko is second on the team in goals (10), second in total points (29) and third in assists (9). She has three game-winning goals this season for the Rams. Lesko was named to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) First Team squad as well as the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team for her play this year.
 
The team was voted on by the sports information offices of 30 institutions from the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Nominated student-athletes must be in at least their second year at their current institution and carry at least a 3.30 GPA.