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Teaneck, NJ - The Wagner women's soccer team will begin its quest for its first ever Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament title on Sunday, October 29 at noon at #3 seed FDU. 

Third Time Ever
For just the third time in the program's history, the Seahawks advanced to the postseason. 

Wagner's first appearance came in 1997 under Ed Hynes, the first coach in program history. The team wouldn't return to the NEC Tournament for another 17 seasons as a 5-1-2 conference record under Mike Minielli in 2014 was good enough for the #2 seed.

Now, under head coach Phil Casella, the Seahawks are back in the fold after compiling a 7-8-2 (5-5) record. It's the second-most wins for Casella on Grymes Hill and ties the most NEC wins in program history.

Season Standouts
Graduate student Juliana Rafaniello and senior Kayla Barbosa were named captains ahead of the 2023 campaign and both lived up to their leadership roles.

Rafaniello paced the team in minutes played as she accumulated seven points on three goals and one assist. Barbosa was clutch all season, contributing two game-winning goals on the year, including an Olimpico against Army on August 24 for Wagner's first win of the season.

Leading the team in scoring were graduate student Madison Carr and freshman Jess Maraia.

Carr picked up where she left off last season, moving into third all-time in program scoring with 12 additional points on four goals and four assists. The Perryville, MD native's 42 career points surpassed Heather Arney (1997-99).

Maraia burst onto the scene with two separate multi-goal games (9/3 vs. Binghamton, 9/17 vs. LIU). She added an additional goal and two assists to match Carr with 12 points. Two NEC Rookie of the Week nods and a Player of the Week honor followed suit for the newcomer.

The Seahawks had six shutouts on the year. Junior Sam Hughes was the catalyst behind them. The Pottstown, PA native collected seven wins in 2023 — six of which being clean sheets — to move into second all-time in program history in wins.

Last Time Against FDU
Wagner hosted FDU only last week, falling by a score of 2-1 on Thursday, October 19.

Maraia scored the opening goal of the match in the 14th minute, but the Knights stacked two goals in a span of three minutes to depart Hameline Field with the victory.

It was a heavily contested game as FDU outshot Wagner, 11-9. Corner kicks were also nearly even, as the Green & White held the advantage, 5-3.

About The NEC Tournament
For the second consecutive year the NEC Tournament will feature six teams. All games will be played at the higher seed's home field.

Top overall seed Merrimack and the #2 seed CCSU earned byes and will await the winners of the two first round matchups. Wagner enters as the #6 seed to face #3 seed FDU, while #5 Sacred Heart will travel to the nation's capital to play #4 seed Howard.

What's Next
With the semifinals being reseeded, the Seahawks will take on #1 seed Merrimack with a win on Sunday. That game would be played on Thursday, November 2 at an undetermined time.