LATHAM, N.Y. - Thanks to her outstanding combination of athletic and academic success, as well as her service to her campus and surrounding communities, Penn State Harrisburg's Diana Pon has been named the United East Women's Soccer Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year.  


The senior scholar-athlete award is one of the highest individual honors the conference bestows. The award is granted to one senior from each sport who represents the epitome of the student-athlete model thanks to their high level of performance on the field of play, in the classroom and in their community. 


A two-year player for Penn State Harrisburg, Pon recently capped her illustrious career with the best statistical season in program history. She turned in one of the best all-around seasons in the country this fall and was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team for her efforts. The team captain ranked eighth in the nation in total points (48), ninth in total assists (12), 11th in game-winning goals (6), 14th in total goals (18) and 18th in shot accuracy (.676). She secured first-team all-region recognition from the United Soccer Coaches and was named to the United East All-Conference First Team after earning a pair of conference offensive player of the week awards during the 2025 campaign. This fall, the Miami, Fla. native set single-season program records for points and assists and matched the single-season mark for game winners while ranking second in goals scored. Dating back to her playing days at Penn State Berks, Pon's accolades include an all-America plaudit, three all-region honors, conference player of the year recognition, conference rookie of the year honors and four all-conference first team selections. One of the most productive players of her era, Pon completed her career ranked fourth among active NCAA Division III players in career assists (33), ninth in total points (131) and 11th in goals (49). She completed her career as one of just five active players to record 40 goals and 30 assists.


This season, Pon converted the game-winning penalty kick in a memorable shutout victory over No. 4 Messiah in mid-October before netting a goal and assisting on the game-winning score in a thrilling NCAA Tournament win over No. 14 Christopher Newport in November. The versatile midfielder helped lead Penn State Harrisburg to a program-record 16 victories, a second consecutive conference championship, a pair of NCAA Tournament victories and the first trip to the NCAA Round of 16 in school history.


"When I think of Diana, I think of someone who pursues excellence in everything she does," said women's soccer head coach Brandon West. "She holds herself to the highest standards both on the field and in the classroom and gives nothing but her best. She has led by example in our program and has been a crucial part in our program's continual growth as a top women's soccer program in the region and nation. Diana has been a great representation of our program and is fully deserving of this award." 


Pon has also been strong in the classroom throughout her career. This fall, she was named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Third Team thanks to her combination of athletic and academic prowess. She secured a pair of CSC Academic All-District accolades during her career, earned induction in the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society and garnered four straight conference all-academic awards dating back to her time at Penn State Berks. The Finance major is currently working towards earning her master's degree and holds a 3.63 cumulative GPA.  


In addition to her athletic and academic achievements, Pon has also honored her heritage as a member of the Panamanian National Team. Most recently, she competed in a pair of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Friendlies against Bolivia in Panama City last summer after competing against Japan as the youngest player on the Panamanian squad in 2021. She has also volunteered her time to the Feeding South Florida Mission and Food Bank, collecting and transporting food for families in need in her home state. 


Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.