United East Women's Soccer 2021 Preview
LATHAM, N.Y. - After a year of no competition, the United East women's soccer teams are set to compete in a full 2021 schedule. There are a few new factors, including the new "United East" conference moniker as well as the addition of St. Mary's College of Maryland to the league.
Each of the nine women's soccer programs will compete in eight conference games with the United East Championship Semifinals coming on Friday, November 5th and the Finals the following day.
Check out how each of the squads stack up here:
Wells College
Head Coach: Patrick Arancio (1st season)
2019 Record: 0-14
Key Returners/Players to Watch: Hayley Martin (Sr.-M) – 14GP-14GS; Caitlin Brockner (Jr.-M) (13GP-13GS-1G-2A @ University at Maine at Machias/USCAA); Ericka Arancio (Jr.-D) (19GP-19GS-4G-3A @ Herkimer County Community College/NJCAA)
Coach's quote on players to watch: "These transfers come with experience at the college level and will have an immediate impact as great additions."
Coach's Season Outlook: "I'm excited for the season. We have a good group hungry to make a new and improved imprint in the United East."
Gallaudet University
Head Coach: Dr. Liza Offreda (7th season)
2019 Record: 6-10-1
Key Returner/Player to Watch: Payton DeGraw (So., GK/F) -5 goals, 6 assists, 16 points, 116 saves, 10 starts in net, 2-4-1 record; Courtney Gentzke (So., F) - 4 goals, 1 assist, 9 points; Sharon Castillo (Sr., M/F) - 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 points; Emelia Beldon (Jr., D/M) - Started all 17 games on Defense
Key Losses: Hannah Neild, Midfield (All-NEAC 2nd Team, Leading scorer, 15 goals, 9 assists, 39 points), Henrianne Jansen, Midfield (4 goals, 5 assists, 13 points), Sabrina Hernandez, Midfield (3 goals, 4 assists, 10 points), Silvya Levesque, Goalie (57 saves, 4-6 record)
Coach's Season Outlook: "Gallaudet women's soccer is back for the 2021 season after we missed last season due to the coronavirus. We bring in 13 new players to the program. The new additions will take time to build our team chemistry but we are heading in the right direction. The veterans will lead a young team this fall and we are hopeful for a safe and successful year."
Lancaster Bible College
Head Coach: Jake Warren (1st Season)
2019 Record: 9-10
2019 Postseason: NEAC Quarterfinals (L2-3 Penn St. Harrisburg)
Key Returners/Players to Watch: Megan Rodgers (Jr, M) - 18 GP, 7 GS, 6 G, 4 A; Kara Huber (Jr, F) - 9 GP, 8 GS, 6 G, 2 A; Erin Mikula (Sr, GK) - 15GP, 14 GS, 66SV, 1.76 GAA; Kara Huber (Sr, F) - 2nd Team All-NEAC
Key Losses: Juliana Miller, Maggie Arnold
Coach's Season Outlook: "We are excited for the difficult challenge the conference will present. Our team has prepared well throughout preseason and the depth of our squad will serve us well."
Penn College
Head Coach: Christa Matlack (4th Season)
2019 Record: 10-9-1
2019 Postseason: 1-1 NEAC Semi Finals
Key Returners/Players to Watch: Abby Williams (Sr, CM) 20 GP, 20 GS, 3 G, 0 A, 3rd Team in 2019; Taylor Gonzales (Sr, GK) 20 GP, 20 GS, 117 Saves, 2.02 GAA, 0.722 Save%, 3rd Team in 2018, 2nd Team in 2019; Kaelan Cronan (Sr, F) 17 GP, 16 GS, 8 G, 4 A, 1st Team in 2018, 3rd Team in 2019; Sloane Tressler (Jr, D) 20 GP, 20 GS, 0 G, 2 A, 3rd Team in 2019
Key Losses: Dominique Brown, Francesca Timpone, Tiffany Brown
Coach's Season Outlook: "We are ecstatic to be back on UPMC Field with the opportunity to compete this fall, and we are committed to make the most out of our first season back on the pitch. The biggest hurdles we face are our fitness levels and getting our touch back after such a long absence from competition. Our hope is to be a strong contender in the UEC as previously shown prior to the pandemic."
Penn State Abington
Head Coach: Dan Manella (4rh Season)
2019 Record: 6-10
Key Returners/Players to Watch: Allison Holtz (Sr D) - 29 GP, 28 GS, 3 G, 2 A; Erica Denshuick (Sr D) - 27 GP, 26 GS; MK Smith (Sr M) - 32 GP, 27 GS, 4 G, 2 A
Key Losses: Taylor Perkowski, Morgan O'Laughlin
Coach's Season Outlook: "Excited to get back on the field after last year we've got a young team with a great attitude and talent and we're looking forward to a great year."
Penn State Berks
Head Coach: Adrian Munteanu (13th Season)
2019 Record: 15-7
2019 Postseason: 2-0, NEAC Champs
Key Returners/Players to Watch: Lydia Cacciola (Sr, D) - 22 GP, 22 GS, 2G, 1A; Emily Clapper (Sr, M/F) -22 GP, 22 GS, 20G,6A, 2019 All-NEAC First Team; Jeyda Duran (Jr, M) - 22 GP, 19 GS, 3G, 3A, 2019 NEAC Tournament MVP; Sara Hathaway (Jr. F) - 22 GP, 19 GS, 10G, 15A, 2019 NEAC Rookie of the Year, 2019 All-NEAC Second; Maddi Monka (So, M); Mary King (Fr, M); Adriana Lepera (Fr, F)
Key Losses: Megan Jardine, Charlotte Pizzuto, Karina Raykova, Emily Stump, Lexi Schoener
Coach's Season Outlook: "We have a lot of new players and just four returners. We will work on getting our chemistry together against some talented non-conference opponents and have things figured out by the time conference play begins. Our goal is to win the conference title."
Penn State Harrisburg
Head Coach: Brandon West (1st season)
2019 Record: 11-11-1
2019 Postseason: NEAC Championship Game
Key Returners/Players to Watch: Rhyan Socash (Sr., M/F) - 22 GP, 18 GS, 13 G, 3 A, 29 PTS, NEAC All-Conference First Team; Sydney Hemler (Jr., D) - 22 GP, 19 GS, 1 G, 4 A, 6 PTS, NEAC All-Conference Third Team; Hollie Holthaus (Sr., F ) - 23 GP, 5 GS, 7 G, 14 PTS; Paige Sharrow (Sr., D) - 23 GP, 22 GS, 1 A, 1 PT
Key Losses: Mackenzie Haladay, Haley Vavrek, Elizabeth Clippinger
Season Outlook: "Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer program enters a new era as former assistant at Division I Liberty and national champion goalkeeper at Messiah Brandon West takes the reins this fall. After falling in the conference championship in 2019, the Lions will look to return to the title game and take the next step towards securing their first conference title since 2009. The Blue & White return nine players this fall, including a pair of 2019 all-conference honorees, and 18 players will see their first collegiate action this season."
St. Mary's College of Maryland
Head Coach: Peter Krech (8th Season)
2019 Record: 3-15-1
2019 Postseason: CAC Tournament Quarterfinal
Key Returners: Maddie Schwarz (Jr., D/M) - 19 GP/19 GS, 1 G, 1 A, All-CAC Second Team; Megan Tazza (Sr., F) - 17 GP/15 GS, 2 G; Lauren Baker (Sr., D/M) - 19 GP/18 GS, 1 A; Flor Katz-Star (Fy.)
Key Losses: Haley Bullis ('21, F), Madison Webb ('21, F/M)
Coach's Season Outlook: "We are excited to join the United East Conference and challenge ourselves against many new teams while still facing a challenging non-conference schedule with many familiar faces as well. We have a solid group of upperclassmen who will help lead the way while also adding extra quality from several first-year players. After the loss of a normal season last year due to Covid-19, we want to enjoy every game we play together and work hard to maximize our potential as a team and hopefully put ourselves in a position to compete in the postseason."
SUNY Morrisville
Head Coach: Paul Allsopp (1st at Morrisville, 2nd overall)
2019 Record: 6-11
Key Returner/Player to Watch: Meaghan Miller (Jr., GK) - 15, 15, 91 svs, 1.38 GAA, 0.820%, 3 SO) 3rd Team All-Conference; Kayla Kelly (Sr., D) - 17 GP, 17 GS, 0 G, 1A; Angelina Rinaldi (Sr., F) - 17 GP, 10 GS, 1G, 2A
Key Losses: Casey Watson, Sr., M; Shay Franklin, Sr., F; Jessica McGee, Sr., F
Coach's Season Outlook: "Under guidance of a new staff, Morrisville is looking forward to a good season with minimal loss from the 2019 season in the roster lineup."
