PITTSBURGH (Aug. 7, 2026) — Players from the Riverhounds Development Academy were honored in the announcement of the Elite Clubs National League’s all-conference teams, as 18 Hounds players total were selected to the First or Second team in the Ohio Valley Conference.
The all-conference honors, which are given from the U15 through the U18/19 age groups, come on the heels of another strong year by academy teams that ended with two teams in those age groups — the U15 and U17 girls — qualifying for the ECNL National Playoffs.
On the girls side, 10 Hounds players were honored, including six First Team selections: Elleson Patten (U15), Leesia Phetsomphou (U15), Kendall Hughey (U16), Anna Korney (U17), Camryn Woods (U17) and Lily DeJesus (U18/19). Earning Second Team honors were Emily Sweitzer (U15), Avianna Gibbs (U16), Gabby Beinecke (U17) and Caitlyn Thompson (U18/19).
Four Hounds boys took First Team honors: David Colwes (U15), Nico DeJesus (U16), Cooper Hilligsberg (U17) and Ryan Maloney (U18/19). Hounds on the Second Team were Ethan Evans (U15), James Havas (U16), Dylan Shallenberger (U17) and Owen Shearer (U18/19).
The honors cap off the 2025-26 competitive season as the 2026-27 ECNL season is set to begin next month in the younger age groups and later in the fall for older age groups. To learn more about the RDA, visit riverhounds.com/academy or follow the academy on social media at @RiverhoundsAcademy.
