LATHAM, N.Y. - LATHAM, N.Y. -The United East has released its women's soccer Volt Division preview for the 2023 season. The Volt Division consists of seven teams, with each program squaring off against one another once in conference play. 

Six of those teams will earn bids to the postseason which begins on October 28 with the Divisional First Round. Winners of that round will then square off in the Divisional Semifinals on Halloween (October 31). The Divisional Final will then take place on November 2. 

The Volt Division Champion will then square off against the Skye Division Champion in a culminating Championship on November 5. The winner of that match will be crowned United East Champion and earn the conference's automatic qualifier into the Division III NCAA Championship.

Lancaster Bible College

After 2022 in which Lancaster Bible just missed the playoffs, despite going 6-1 in its last seven contests (10-7; 4-4 United East), the Chargers will look to a large group of newcomers to get into playoff contention for 2023.  A strong non-conference schedule includes Elizabethtown as well as United East divisional opponents Valley Forge, Cairn, and Rosemont.  Sophomore defender Janae Bergey was a 2022 First Team All-Conference honoree and will lead the defense while Kendal Ream (Sr., Mid) is the team’s top returning goal scorer (3 G, 3 A).

Coach’s Outlook: “Despite posting our best overall record since 2016, it was a disappointing end to the 2022 season as the team just missed out on the United East conference tournament. We graduated 10 Seniors in the offseason which has led to a roster revamp of adding 16 new freshmen and transfers. We return key players including leading goal scorer, Kendal Ream and All-Conference award-winning center back, Janae Bergey. This year's squad will feature a large group of freshmen that will improve and add depth in key positions. The Chargers have high expectations to make a move up in the conference standings.”

Gallaudet University

Dr. Liza Offreda (9th season) looks for improvement in 2023 after a challenging 2022 season.  Junior Danielle Fisher returns as a versatile defender who can play all over the field while Ryane Smalley (Sr., D) provides experience and stability on the back line  for the Bison.  In the non-conference schedule, Gallaudet gets to face off against United East Skye Division foes Notre Dame of Maryland University to open the season on September 1 and University of Valley Forge on September 9.

Coach’s Outlook: “Coming off a challenging season, we look to improve in both non-conference and conference play with the majority of the team returning.”

St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Entering into his 10th season at the helm, Coach Peter Krech looks to lead a young and refurbished squad in the 2023 season. Despite losing some veteran leadership, former Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Conference member, Ella Raines, will rep the blue and yellow. She will be joined by Ashley Bonner and Flor Katz-Starr who were regular starters throughout last season. The Seahawks will look to gain chemistry early through a couple of non-conference matchups including Dickinson, Stevenson, and Catholic.

Coach’s Outlook: “We are excited to welcome six new freshmen into our program to add to a quality returning group. Our goal will be to finish in the top two of the United East and to challenge for the Conference Championship overall. We lost several key members of our backline due to graduation, as well as key leadership with all four captains departing, but it will be exciting to see who steps up this fall both on and off the field. The team will be traveling to Greece August 3-11 for sessions and matches, and we hope to carry that momentum into the fall season.”

Penn College

Consistency will be key as Coach Ian Scheller (2nd year) will try to deepen the Wildcat’s postseason run in 2023. Aiding that process will be a pair of First Team All-Conference players in Kaelynn Sheetz and Sara Darlington. Sheetz was an offensive powerhouse, scoring a league-best 21 goals while Darlington chipped in 12 of her own. BillieGean Hennessy brings leadership to a backline that saw five clean sheets in 2022.

Coach’s Outlook: “In my second year as the coach here at Penn College, I am looking forward to seeing how the team progresses in year two. We are a team that returns quality in multiple positions and also have a great class of incoming athletes. We're looking to build upon some of our positives from last season while working to maintain a level of consistency.”

Penn State Berks

The 2022 United East Champions look to make it back-to-back as the Nittany Lions return plenty of talent. Sara Hathaway provides leadership as the former Player of the Year was a top point-getter in the conference a season ago. She’ll be aided by 2022 Rookie of the Year Diana Pon, who also collected All-Region accolades in her first year. A tough non-conference schedule set by 15-year skipper Adrian Munteanu will help Berks prep for the Volt Division, including games against Rowan (9/15) and Messiah (9/20).

Coach’s Outlook: “We have a young team with a talented incoming class looking to continue last year's success. Excited to get everyone together and start training.”

Penn State Abington

Ylber Mezani is the Interim Women’s Soccer Head Coach for Penn State Abington in 2023 after spending the past few seasons as an assistant coach with the Abington men’s program; helping them to consecutive United East semifinal appearances.  Senior Grace Burns returns after a Second Team All-Conference season in 2022 where she carded 12 goals and 3 assists.  Junior Madison McDowell had 8 goals and 4 assists while starting and playing in all 17 matches for the Lions.

Coach’s Outlook: “I’m excited for the opportunity to lead this group of young student-athletes into the next season. Can’t wait to get on the field and get going with the season, it’s going to be fun coaching and watching them learn and grow after every practice and/or game.”

Penn State Harrisburg

The Lions were an overtime period away from clinching their second-straight conference title in 2022 and will look to reclaim the crown in 2023. With everyone returning to the roster, Coach Brandon West (3rd season) has scheduled out some tough non-conference opponents including Roanoke and Lynchburg to start the season. 

Coach’s Outlook: “Playing really tough out of conference schedule to prepare for the conference season.”

 

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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.