Albany, NY—Russell Sage College's department of athletics announced their award winners for the 2021-2022 academic year at the annual awards banquet.  In addition to several honors bestowed for athletic and academic excellence, Sage also selected the Gator of the Year Award for the department's 21 varsity sports for the 2021-2022 year.

RSC's women's soccer forward Natalie Ricci (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes) was honored as the Gator of the Year in women's soccer.

Head Women's Soccer Coach Garrett Cobb remarked "Natalie Ricci has been an integral player to our team season after season and this year was no different." He added, "Always a problem for opposing teams she makes life easier for us on the field. Leading the team with the most goals and tied for most assists she leads by example with her play on the field. Natalie is taking home the women's soccer gator of the year for being our team's MVP."

Over the course of the fall of 2021, the senior forward made the Empire 8 First-Team for the third-straight season. She ranked fifth in the conference with 20 points and was fourth in the E8 with nine goals, both best on the Gators.

Ricci, who topped the conference with three game-winning goals, finished the season 11th in program records with 53 career points. She is currently tied for tenth among RSC players with 23 career goals.