By Tyler Morello
Staff Writer
The College’s women’s soccer team kicked off their highly anticipated season with two games this past weekend. They picked up wins against Washington and Lee University and Plattsburgh State at the Stand on Their Shoulders Invitational. The tournament was hosted by Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York.
After a strong 2023 season where the Lions finished 16-3-1, they entered this season ranked at No. 24 in the preseason rankings for Division III women’s soccer. They are also picked to repeat as the New Jersey Athletic Conference champions, with Rowan University right behind at number two in the preseason poll.
Game One
The Lions first played on Friday, Aug. 30, against Washington and Lee University and were able to escape with a 1-0 victory. Senior business major Ava Curtis scored the lone goal for the Lions thanks to a 25-yard free kick early in the first half.
The Lions were able to hold the Generals scoreless with strong play on defense, as well as stellar goalkeeping from freshman Kinesiology and Health sciences major Ellen Williams. Williams, making her first start in her collegiate career, tallied 9 saves to hold the shutout. The Generals ended up with more total shots than the Lions, 14-10.
Game Two
The College then faced off against Plattsburgh State on Saturday, Aug. 31. They came away with an assertive 5-1 win. The Lions will be counting on a couple of their returning upperclassmen to lead the team this year, and they certainly got those contributions this weekend.
Senior business marketing major Victoria D'Imperio struck first for the Lions, picking up where she left off last season. D'Imperio was the 2023 NJAC Midfielder of the Year and led the team in goals and points.
Curtis also scored in the game, bringing her goal total to two on the weekend. Senior marketing major Cassidy DiSabato scored midway through the first half on a penalty kick and had an assist later in the second half.
Sophomore nursing major Taylor Bielan and freshman management major Taylor Krott tallied the final two goals for the Lions in the second half.
Williams followed up her brilliant debut with another solid showing in the net, only surrendering one goal for the game. The Lions dominated the game in the offensive zone, putting up 32 shots to the Cardinals’ three.
Overall, the Lions should be pleased with the weekend as a whole as they start their 2024 season with two wins.
There are still a few weeks until conference play begins, so the College will look to continue their solid start against some out of conference teams. They will head to Middletown, Pennsylvania, and match up against Penn State Harrisburg on Sept. 7, then host Arcadia University on Sept. 10.
Without looking too far ahead, the Lions will have their first real test of the year against no.2-ranked Johns Hopkins University on Sept. 18, and will look to carry their momentum from last year.
