SELINSGROVE, PA (August 31, 2022) – In 2021, the Susquehanna University Women's Soccer team looked at times to be one of the strongest title contenders in the Landmark Conference. The season started a bit slowly for the River Hawks, and they came out on the wrong end of a 2-1 score line on the road at University of Scranton for their conference opener. However, a close showing against the title favorite Royals would prove to be a major motivator for the squad, who went on to sweep their remaining conference schedule to go 6-1 and claim the second seed for the Landmark playoffs.
Their strongest statement of intent came in mid-October, when they hit the road to face Elizabethtown College and soundly beat them 3-1 on their home turf. Elizabethtown would go on to be the third seed in the playoffs and a rematch would take place, this time here in Selinsgrove. This match would be a much closer affair, with Elizabethtown netting twice despite Susquehanna outshooting them 22-11 in the match.
With the score tied at two apiece, neither team scored in the overtime periods and the match was decided on penalty kicks. The Blue Jays managed to squeak out ahead 8-7 in a dramatic finish, leaving the River Hawks just short of a chance to face Scranton again and vie for the Landmark title.
Coach Nick Hoover '06 enters his eleventh season at the helm of the program and believes the team is poised to surpass its results from last season. "There's really two feelings that come with seeing a season ending like that," says Hoover. "First is the heartbreak, and that lasts for however long it really lasts for any individual. But once you're past that, the motivation kicks in, it builds that fire and we've really seen a lot of it in our returning players."
In Hoover's estimation, the goal for the team is to be playing in November, by whatever route puts them there. "Obviously for us its either win most of the non-conference and potentially not win the conference and still get an at-large bid, or we don't win all the non-conference games against tough opponents but win the Landmark tournament. I think we're well positioned with the ability to do both."
The team has prepared themselves a very challenging slate of non-conference games. They kick off the season hosting 7th ranked Misericordia University, with a strong Dickinson College team the next week before a massive weekend challenge against 1st ranked reigning National Champions Christopher Newport University, before taking on Virginia Wesleyan University the following day. Wilkes University and Lycoming College make their final appearances as non-conference opponents on the schedule, both looking strong. From top to bottom, the coaching staff and team felt like everyone was ready for this level of competition. "We have the type of team that isn't scared of anything and wants to take on challenges, knowing that we're always going to learn and grow from what we face, even if we don't win."
Hoover spoke excitedly about the state of the Landmark this season. "There are absolutely no easy games in this conference. "It's a really exciting group of teams, every game offers a different challenge and even the teams that may not have picked up as many wins in conference still have a ton of talent and can turn in great performances." Soccer in November for the River Hawks would prove to be a testament to battling through one of their toughest ever schedules, rebuilding a roster that saw ten seniors depart at the end of last year, finding a new starting goalkeeper and replacing the contributions of senior forward Anna Werner, who was a three-time All-Landmark First Team selection and scored 28 goals in her career at SU.
The squad will hope that some of the rebuilding and contributions will come from their 12 new first year players, including nine first years and three sophomores. "Being able to bring in a bunch of new personalities and fresh perspectives is a great luxury. They get to enter a great team culture without those same pressures that the players who know how last season ended might feel."
Positional breakdown below:
Goalkeeper: The River Hawks' goalkeeper room is one that possesses a great mix of experience and youth despite the loss of last year's senior starter Chloe Wieczkowski. They are led by Carlie Marquette, who enters her senior year having played in six games last season, starting four. Also returning is sophomore Kayleigh Saboja, who appeared in one game last season as a first year, but begins the season injured so won't factor into the immediate starting plans. The position group is rounded out by first year netminder Paisley Tornatore. She has entered the preseason and shown tremendous promise, making appearances in net during scrimmages and making an immediate impact on the team. According to Hoover, the day 1 starting job remains up for grabs, but the choice is one that has no wrong answers.
Defense: The defense is headlined by the return of fifth-year player and reigning Landmark Defensive Player of the Year Marley Clendenin. Her wealth of experience and accomplishment will undoubtedly play a huge role in helping to guide younger players taking bigger roles on the roster, while her on-field impact remains impactful. A key question for the starting lineup hinges on who will partner Clendenin in the center of the back line. While no one player may stand to take all the minutes, the defensive group returns a good mix of young returners and first year players who will all compete for time on the field and benefit from the experienced leadership. Sophomore Olivia Haines stands to take on bigger minutes after a limited role in her first year last season. Senior Mya Keim brings more experience and the ability to embrace a starting role. Juniors Ellie Betheil and Maya Ruhalter looked poised for impact at the wide back position. First year sophomore Noelle Sorensen and first-years Emma Eberle, Morgan Stickley, Chloe Michaels, and Kaitlyn Conrad will all look to grab minutes as well.
Midfield: Similar to the defensive group, the midfield is highlighted by a key returning starter and great depth and youth. Senior Gillian Maack returns after an All-Landmark First Team season last year that saw her net a career-high seven goals. Hoover hopes to see her impact as a leader continue to grow this year as she embarks on her senior campaign and stands as one of the teams lead goal scorers while also expecting to dominate the midfield. Cierra Getz returns for her sophomore season, having taken on a significant starting role last season as a first-year. As she continues to build experience, she'll have the chance to further her on-field impact with those minutes. Other returners include juniors Juliana DeGeorge, Remi Cortina, Avery Francis, and Maggie Morrison all will have the opportunity to get significant time on the field. First-year duo Olivia Swartz and Liliana Shutt are expected to see significant time as well, a chance for them to build great playing experience in their first collegiate season.
Forward: In keeping with the theme of the rest of the roster, a high-profile returner is supplemented by great depth at the forward position group. Emily Wertz enters her senior season on the back of an All-Landmark First Team campaign in 2021 in which she led the team with nine goals and seven assists playing alongside Anna Werner, who graduated last season after a highly decorated career with SU. She'll be looked to as the team's main offensive finisher and hope to better her totals from last season while also serving as one of the senior leaders for the squad. A new addition joins the attack with great experience in the form of senior Lock Haven University transfer Marley Sprenkel. A Selinsgrove native, she joins the River Hawks after three years of Division II experience, poised to be a dynamic new element on the front line. Senior Casey Nickerson brings great value with her experience and eye for goal. While junior Mikela Florio has been dynamic in preseason and looks primed for a greater role in the offense. Fellow junior Delaney Morton was tabbed by Hoover as a player to watch this season, with the capability to flash some special impact plays on the field. The group is also supplemented with a talented group of first-year players. Sydney Williams, Caitlyn Sanchez, and Kameron Watkins have all been lively in the preseason and have a chance to make an impact as depth.
Coaching: Nick Hoover '06 returns as the head coach alongside returning assistant Rob Taylor. Joining the staff this season is a talented former River Hawk player Angela Amato '14.
The season gets underway for the River Hawks on Thursday, September 1, with the team hosting No.7 Misericordia at 5:00 PM on Sassafras Multipurpose Field.
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--RIVER HAWKS--
