Women?s Soccer Hosts Monmouth, Visit Saint Francis (Pa.) this Weekend

8/18/2016 11:46:00 AM | Women's Soccer

By: TBD

8/19 – Bucknell vs. Monmouth - Video
8/21 – Bucknell at St. Francis (Pa.) – Live Stats

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell women's soccer team makes their 2016 debut this weekend with a pair of non-conference matchups. The Bison host Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) preseason favorite Monmouth Friday night at 7 p.m. at Emmitt Field, followed by a trip to Loretto to take on Saint Francis (Pa.) Sunday at 2 p.m. Friday's home opener will broadcast on the Patriot League Network.

Bucknell's contest against the Hawks will be just the second meeting between the two programs. The teams first met at Monmouth in 2014, with the Bison winning by a 2-0 margin. Twin sisters Kendall Ham and Jackie Ham each found the back of the net to lead the Bison to victory.

Monmouth finished 13-3-2 last year, posting a 9-1 record in conference play to earn its third-consecutive regular season title. However, Monmouth was upset by sixth-seeded Siena in the MAAC Tournament. The Hawks return 2015 Offensive Player of the Year and this year's MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Alexis McTamney, who tallied 22 points last season with eight goals and six assists. Monmouth also returns senior Julie Spracklin, who was also named to the Preseason All-MAAC Team.

The Bison were dominant at Emmitt Field in 2015 and hope to continue their strong play this season. Bucknell posted an unbeaten home record for just the second time in program history last year, going 7-0-1 while allowing just one goal.

Sunday's contest at Saint Francis (Pa.) will serve as the 24th meeting between the two Pennsylvania schools. Bucknell is 15-6-2 in the all-time series and won last year's meeting in Lewisburg 3-0, thanks to goals from Kendall Ham and Shelby Roberts.

The Red Flash finished 4-13-2 last season, with all four victories coming in league play. Saint Francis was picked fourth in the Northeast Conference (NEC) Preseason Coaches' Poll and return All-NEC honorees Gabi Morales, Casey Gallaher and Shannon McGinnis, while welcoming 11 new players to the roster.

The Patriot League announced its preseason all-league team and coaches' poll on Wednesday. Bucknell tied a league-high four players selected to the all-league squad, including Meghan Holtz, Jessica Ratner, Jackie Ham and Kendall Ham, who was voted Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

The Bison were picked second in the coaches' poll, receiving 141 votes and four-first place votes. Three-time defending champion Boston University was tabbed as the preseason favorite. Navy was picked to finish third with 131 votes, followed by Colgate (102), Loyola (91), Army West Point (84), Lehigh (64), Lafayette (45), American (41) and Holy Cross (36) to round out the 10-team ballot.

Below is a more in-depth season preview.

The Bucknell women's soccer team had a strong year in 2015 under first-year head coach Kelly Cook, but were left with a bad taste in their mouths, following a 1-0 loss to Boston University in the Patriot League Tournament championship game.

Last season, Bucknell finished 11-6-3 and 6-1-2 in the Patriot League. The Bison were the No. 2 seed in the Patriot League Tournament, clinching an opening round bye. Bucknell defeated third-seeded Navy in the semifinal round by a 3-0 margin before falling to the Terriers in the team's first title game since 2007. The Bison return nine starters and 22 letterwinners from that squad, and Cook believes that last year's experience will be beneficial heading into the upcoming season.

“The returning group has a lot of talent and experience having advanced to the championship game last year,” said Cook. “They know what it takes to get there. That wealth of experience is really helpful and it can be passed along to the newcomers. They now know the standard. We talk about culture and they are a big part of it.”

Cook made a great first impression on Bucknell and the Patriot League in her head-coaching debut, earning conference Coach of the Year honors, and feels more prepared heading into her second year.

“Our coaching staff has jelled and developed really good chemistry with the team,” said Cook, who will be joined on the sideline once again by David Madsen and Leigh Howard. “This being my second season here, it is nice to come in knowing the players a little bit better, and knowing what each player's strength and weaknesses are. I feel more prepared having known the team better and knowing the league better.”

The Bison set numerous single-season records last year, including unbeaten streak (9), shutouts (11), consecutive shutouts (6) and consecutive scoreless minutes (655.03). Bucknell also posted an unbeaten home record for just the second time in program history in 2015, finishing 7-0-1 while allowing just one goal all season at Emmitt Field.

Seniors Cora Climo and Alexis Gannon along with junior Meghan Holtz, a Third Team All-Patriot League and Preseason All-Patriot League selection, will serve as tri-captains this season.

Looking at the Bison personnel from back to front, Cook returns Second Team All-Patriot League and Patriot League All-Tournament selection Jessica Ratner. Ratner played every minute in goal for the Bison in 2015, leading the league in save percentage (.857) and shutouts (11). Her 11 shutouts were the most in a single season in school history and ranked eighth in the NCAA.

“The experience Jess had last year in goal was incredible,” said Cook about the Preseason All-Patriot League selection. “We accomplished a lot, but it's a new year. She has a lot of experience going forward and I anticipate her having another great year.”

In addition to Ratner, Cook added two more goalkeepers to the roster with freshmen Theresa Adu-Attobrah and Dani Kaufman.

“We have two very talented freshmen that are definitely competing and challenging,” said Cook. “It's been fun having multiple goalkeepers on the field this preseason.”

In the back four, Bucknell will look to replace two-year captain and Second Team All-Patriot League selection Lauren Dandie. Dandie anchored the Bison line during her four-year career, starting in 73 of 78 contests. Fortunately, the Bison return starters Karli Cirovski, Kelsey Witt and Jackie Ham, a Third Team All-Patriot League selection in 2015, who was recently named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team.

“Our returning group set a number of defensive records last year and performed at a very high level,” said Cook. “They have a lot of experience and leadership back there and I have really high expectations for that group.”

Maddie Dano will look to replace the hole left by Dandie in the back four. Dano appeared in 11 contests last season as a freshman, including four starts with two of those coming in the Patriot League Tournament. Adding to the defensive depth are Camille Andrews, Melissa MacPherson, Maddy Hackley and freshmen Lilly Courts and Julia Rotatori.

“In the back, we have a great deal of depth, with players returning and some new freshmen,” said Cook. “For us, our back line was one of our strengths, and I hope it will continue with so much experience and our depth.”

Bucknell loses a pair of captains in the midfield in three-time All-Patriot League honoree Madison Loos and Devan Schulte. Though they lost two captains, the Bison return Climo and Holtz, who will provide leadership as captains this season. Returning to the midfield group are Carly Baggott and Carolyn Casey. Freshman Ali Russo joins this year's squad, as does junior Gabi Rosenfeld, a transfer from Stony Brook.

“We did lose two midfielders to graduation who played large roles last fall, but I'm looking forward to our midfield having new faces,” said Cook. “It will be exciting to watch them work together. We have two captains in the midfield who will provide leadership at the position.”

The forward group should be an exciting one in 2016. Bucknell returns First Team All-Patriot League selection Kendall Ham. Ham, an NSCAA All-Region honoree and this year's Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, tallied a team-high 20 points along with leading the team with nine goals. Opposite of Ham is Alexis Gannon, who finished with 14 points last year on six goals and two assists.

“Kendall is coming off a fantastic season and I anticipate her having another one,” said Cook. “Alexis will provide leadership as a captain and will definitely make a name for herself in the Patriot League.”

Sarah Bresette and Maddie Mulford are coming off strong seasons, along with Talia Szatkowski, the team's Rookie of the Year in 2015. The Bison also return sophomores Casey Gray and Shelby Roberts while welcoming freshmen Bailey Hurst and Gabby Bair to the roster.

“Overall, the group has quite a bit of speed and I'm hoping for a very dynamic style of soccer and to score some more goals than last year, said Cook”

Bucknell has a challenging non-conference schedule, including a trip to take on 2015 NCAA qualifier Princeton. The Bison travel to Ohio to play Dayton and Wright St. at the end of August, along with their first-ever matchup with Syracuse in upstate New York on Sept. 1. The Bison have home non-league dates with Rider and Mount St. Mary's, and they will travel to Saint Francis (Pa.) and Iona.

On Aug. 23, the Bison will host the Papua New Guinea U-20 National Team for an exhibition contest.

The Patriot League schedule starts on Sept. 18 with a rematch of last year's championship game with Bucknell hosting three-time defending champion Boston University. Lafayette, American and Lehigh will also visit Emmitt Field this season.

The Patriot League Tournament is slated to begin with the first round on Nov. 1, followed by the semifinals on Nov. 6 and the championship game on Nov. 8. The top six teams will qualify for the postseason tournament, with the top two seeds earning quarterfinal byes. The No. 1 seed will host the semifinal and championship, with the tournament champion receiving an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.