William Smith senior midfielder Ruth Hotaling was named to the 2025 Division III Women's Soccer Academic All-America® third team, selected by College Sports Communicators. She is the first Heron soccer player elected to the Academic All-America teams since the 2020-21 academic year.
 
Majoring in mathematics and music, Hotaling is a three-time Academic All-District selection. She is also a three-time Liberty League All-Academic honoree. Hotaling was named to the United Soccer Coaches 2024 Scholar All-America second team.
 
On the field, Hotaling was voted the 2025 Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in goals with 12 and points with 25. She started all 17 matches this season, scoring twice in wins over DeSales, Clarkson and Skidmore. Hotaling was named the Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week twice this season.
 
One of the most productive players in program history, Hotaling will graduate seventh on William Smith's career assists list with 25 and 19th in career points with 77. A two-time All-American, she was voted to the All-Liberty League teams three times, including first team honors in each of the past two seasons. Hotaling was named to the 2024 NCAA All-Tournament Team after leading the Herons to national championship match.
 
To be nominated for Academic All-America consideration, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically and have a cumulative GPA of 3.50. Additionally, nominees must play in at least 90% of their team's game or start 66%. Qualified nominees receive Academic All-District honors and then are considered for the highly selective Academic All-America ballot.
 
Since Shawn Fazio became the first Hobart and William Smith student-athlete to earn Academic All-America recognition in 1979, HWS has earned 78 Academic All-America awards. William Smith soccer accounts for more than 25% of those awards (20), the most of any of HWS' 30 varsity sports.