PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Plattsburgh State senior captain Taya Balfour (Moorestown, N.J./Philadelphia Jr. Flyers) has been named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Second Team, as announced by the organization. The honor recognizes Balfour’s exceptional success both on the ice and in the classroom.
Academic All-America is one of the most prestigious honors in collegiate athletics, reserved for student-athletes who perform at an elite level in their sport while excelling academically. Established in 1952 and selected by College Sports Communicators, the program is the longest-running and premier award recognizing athletic and academic success across championship college sports at all NCAA levels, the NAIA, two-year colleges, and Canadian institutions. The all-time list of more than 44,000 Academic All-Americans includes some of the world’s most accomplished individuals in sports, medicine, business, science, and the arts.
A Business Administration/International Business/Marketing major with a 3.96 cumulative GPA, Balfour appeared in all 28 games for the Cardinals during the 2025-26 season, totaling 22 points on seven goals and 15 assists while serving as one of the nation’s top defensemen. She finished the season with a +25 rating, recorded two game-winning goals, and blocked 34 shots to help anchor one of the top defensive units in NCAA Division III.
Balfour’s outstanding season earned her a collection of national and conference honors, including AHCA CCM Hockey Division III All-America Second Team recognition, DIII Hockey News Second Team All-America honors, SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year accolades, and First Team All-SUNYAC recognition. She also played a pivotal role in leading Plattsburgh State to its second consecutive SUNYAC championship and an appearance in the NCAA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Championship Tournament.
With her Academic All-America selection, Balfour becomes the first Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey student-athlete to earn Academic All-America honors since Kassi Abbot was named to the third team in 2018-19.–
