Staten Island, NY - The Wagner College women's soccer team is set to take on Rider in its season opener on Thursday at 7:00 pm at Hameline Field. The match will be streamed on NEC Front Row.

After last season's run to the Northeast Conference (NEC) championship game, the Seahawks will be looking to take an even bigger leap forward in 2024. The Broncs and Seahawks will face-off for the fifth consecutive season, with the Green & White searching for their first win over the MAAC opponent since 2021.

Who's Back

Graduate student Kayla Barbosa returns as a captain for the second straight year after a heroic 2023 NEC Tournament run. Senior Emma Roe joins Barbosa as captains for the Seahawks this season.

The 2023 minutes leader in senior Kylie McNally returns for the Seahawks alongside senior forwards Claire Janis and Olivia Rubbo. Senior goalkeeper Sam Hughes also returns, needing 36 saves to move into second on the all-time saves list in program history.

New Faces

In addition to the 11 freshmen joining the Seahawks in 2024, head coach Phil Casella hit the transfer portal to add three impact players.

Graduate student Ashley Ladner made stops at Buffalo and UAlbany before arriving on Grymes Hill. She figures to become an integral part of the midfield in 2024. Junior Izzy Gomez (UConn) and sophomore Ava Pugliese (Southern Illinois) join Ladner in offering great experience across the pitch. 

The Schedule

Following its matchup against Rider, Wagner will head to Arizona to take on the Sun Devils on Arizona State. Six more non-conference contests follow before the Seahawks host Stonehill on Sunday, September 22, to begin NEC play.

On Thursday, October 10, the Seahawks will take on CCSU in a rematch of the NEC title game.

The conference tournament begins on Sunday, November 3, with the semifinals taking place on Thursday, November 7, and the championship game occurring on Sunday, November 10.

About Rider

This is the fifth consecutive season the Broncs have opened their season against the Seahawks. They will be looking for their fourth win of the recent five-game stretch and their tenth win overall against the Seahawks.