AMHERST, N.Y. -- Kylie Miranto (North Tonawanda, N.Y.) has been named the recipient of the Daemen University C.L.A.W. Award for the 2025-26 academic year. This prestigious award is given annually to the graduating student-athlete who best exemplifies the traits of character, leadership, academic achievement and work ethic. The announcement of this year's recipient was made at the 2026 Daemen Night of Honors on Friday, an annual event held on campus to celebrate recognize the achievements of the university's intercollegiate teams and student-athletes. 

Miranto is a dual sport athlete, competing as a four-year starter on both the Daemen women's soccer and women's lacrosse teams throughout her career as a Wildcat. She closes out her collegiate career as a highly decorated athlete, earning All-American honors in both her sophomore and senior years while being named the East Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year for her sophomore, junior and senior soccer campaigns. Miranto finished ranked third in the Daemen record books in points (117) and goals (49) and tied for fourth in assists (19). As a member of the first Daemen women's lacrosse team in 2023, Miranto scored the program's first ever goal in the season opener against Lake Erie on Feb. 26, 2023. She finished her Daemen career with 42 goals, 26 assists and 68 points offensively while totaling 98 ground balls, 90 draw controls and 65 caused turnovers on the defensive end. Miranto earned a major award at Night of Honors all four years of her collegiate career, earning the 2023 Female Newcomer of the Year, 2024, 2025 and 2026 Female Athlete of the Year and the 2026 C.L.A.W. Award. Miranto is set to earn her bachelor of science degree in natural science with a specialization in forensic science. 

Miranto was nominated by assistant athletic director for compliance and student success Suzie Yormick-Denillo and head women's soccer coach Dan Dolan. Highlights of their nominations include:

Demonstration of good character:

• "She has an incredible desire to help others and builds meaningful relationships with each teammate. She creates an environment where each player feels comfortable coming to her and the other leaders for advice. She cares deeply and very empathetic for those around her, consistently encouraging and uplifting her teammates while putting the team ahead of her own success. She goes out of her way to help in every aspect, whether it is with equipment, moving goals, cleaning up after meals, being the last to leave the locker room, assisting with recruits, or supporting teammates with personal matters off the field. She consistently upholds our program's core values, specifically Sacrifice, Trust, Respect, and Integrity." -- Dolan
• "Kylie has always led by example, portraying the hard work and dedication she puts into her two sports, classes, and the University on a daily basis. She shows respect and compassion to those around her while always having the willingness to help at any time." -- Yormick-Denillo

Leadership roles:

• She served as a captain on the soccer team for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, was a member of the women's soccer leadership group all four years and was also a member of the Wildcats Will Lead group within the Athletics Department.
• "Kylie leads by example. She is that athlete that you want 10 of on your team. Kylie works hard and never gives up. She will give you 100% when she may only have 70% to give. Kylie is the first to support and cheer on her teammates, all while pushing herself and them to be better." -- Yormick-Denillo

Academic achievement:

• Deans list in Fall 2023, Spring 2025 and Fall 2025. 3.0 board since Spring 2023. 

Championship mindset and work ethic: 

• "She demonstrates a championship mindset and strong work ethic by consistently striving to improve each day, regardless of personal stats or achievements. Her success is defined by reaching our team goals. She brings energy and enthusiasm to every practice and game and commits to extra work beyond what is required, whether in the weight room, on the field, or outside on the front lawn. Her commitment is evident in the time she invests beyond expectations, and she sets the standard for those around her while bringing her teammates along in the process." -- Dolan
• "Kylie consistently demonstrates a championship mindset by embracing challenges (injuries) and holding herself to high standard. Her work ethic shows by her dedication to always improving, pushing herself and her teammates each day, and succeeding in the classroom." -- Yormick-Denillo

Additional support:

• "Kylie is a dual-sport athlete who to me is the definition of a Daemen student-athlete. She works hard for both teams, tried to set a good example for her teammates, works hard in the classroom, and is always willing to help others when needed. On top of that, 99% of the time she does it with a smile. I think she is well deserving of this award." -- Yormick-Denillo
• "Out of any player I've coached at Daemen, Ky is the closest reflection of myself. She is the best leader and captain we have ever had and, more importantly, an exceptional person...at all times. I know she has a strong chance to be named Female Athlete of the Year, but personally, I believe this award carries even greater meaning because of who she is and what she represents." -- Dolan

Previous C.L.A.W. Awardees:
2013 - Joanna Fretthold, women's volleyball
2014 - Mark Coppola, men's basketball
2015 - Sam Rugg, men's soccer/track and field
2016 - Gregory Lowe, men's tennis
2017 - Rachel Pawlak, women's basketball
2018 - Giambattista Davis, men's basketball & Katie McKrell, women's volleyball
2019 - Erin Egan, women's basketball
2020 - Courtney Bernard, women's volleyball
2021 - Maddie Flores, women's soccer & Ziv Basden, men's basketball
2022 - Alex Hasiotis, women's bowling
2023 - Marina Maerkl, women's basketball
2024 - Maggie Burns, women's volleyball
2025 - Kitsa Scime, women's tennis
2026 - Kylie Miranto, women's soccer/women's lacrosse

We will continue to feature each of the major award winners throughout the week on www.daemenwildcats.com.