LATHAM, N.Y. - Competition will be fierce as the United East merges its two women's soccer divisions from a year ago for the 2024 season. A total of 16 teams will be vying for 12 playoff spots come November, with the top four seeds recieving first-round byes. Penn State Berks will be on a quest to defend its title and hoist its 10th as a program. 

Play begins this upcoming weekend. Check out the full United East schedule HERE: 2024 WOMEN'S SOCCER SCHEDULE

Penn State Berks
(2023 Record: 4-1-1, 10-9-2 Overall)

Penn State Berks hoisted the conference trophy at the conclusion of last year, taking down Bryn Athyn in the culminating championship match. Berks will look to repeat that as Adrian Munteanu heads the bench in his 16th year. He has challenged his players with the non-conference schedule as the team takes on regional powers such as Rowan (9/13), Messiah (9/18) and Franklin & Marshall (10/2). They do return plenty of key parts including soon-to-be three year starter Sophia Gonzalez in net. The midfield will also feature some veteran players including Faith Wavershak and Mary King.

 

Bryn Athyn College
(2023 Record: 8-0-1 United East, 13-3-1 Overall)

Just one game short of hoisting the United East trophy, Bryn Athyn will enter 2024 with a strong veteran squad that looks to be back on top. Skye Division Player of the Year, Kira Bradley, will don the Lion jersey, coming off a year which saw her score 27 times. She will be aided by fellow First Team All-Conference members Maria Storck and Shea Gormley. Bill O’Neill is back on the sidelines in his ninth year as the gaffer, scheduling tough tune up contests against Immaculata, Rutgers-Camden and Neumann.

Coach’s Outlook: “With the new structure of the conference, brings new challenges. We are fortunate to bring back a very seasoned group, with 7 of the 8 all conference players returning. We are very deep at the goalkeeper position with the return of all 3 keepers. We scheduled a competitive non conference schedule in hopes to get us prepared for a post season run. We are excited to see how our second year and first year players will make an impact on our program. Expectations are high for sure for another run at a conference championship.” - Bill O’Neill
 

Wilson College
(2023 Record: 8-1-0 United East, 14-5-1 Overall)

The Wilson roster remains virtually unchanged aside from rookie additions and Head Coach Terry Harris has high hopes the team will expand on its 2023 success. Rookie of the Year Annie Smith will be back in a Phoenix kit while First Teamer Halley Shaffer will look to eclipse the 20 goal mark once again. On Defense, Jade Wolfe will anchor Wilson, coming off a First Team All-Conference season as well.

Coach’s Outlook: “We hope to grow on a strong 23 campaign. The starting team from 23 is still intact and we added 10 first year athletes that will help us grow and continue to compete in every game.” - Terry Higgins

 

Penn State Harrisburg
(2023 Record: 4-1-1 United East, 10-4-5 Overall)

Brandon West begins his fourth season with Penn State Harrisburg’s women’s soccer program with another team that's ready to compete for a United East Conference championship.  Though the Nittany Lions lost on penalty kicks in the divisional semifinals in 2023, a strong non-conference schedule in 2024 should prepare the team for the United East campaign,  Four non-conference opponents played in the 2023 NCAA Tournament including 2022 National Champion, Johns Hopkins University.  Harrisburg will face off against preseason No. 24 The College of New Jersey, RV Franklin & Marshall, No. 25 McDaniel College, and No. 17 Johns Hopkins outside of United East play.  The conference slate begins on September 29 at Keystone College.

Coach’s Outlook: "We are excited to kick off the 2024 season with some of the top opponents in the country and the region. Our non conference strength of schedule will prepare us for hopefully another run at a conference title and opportunity to be back in the NCAA Tournament." - Brandon West

Penn College
(2023 Record: 3-1-2 United East, 11-2-7 Overall)

Penn College enters its 2024 campaign with a large roster with plenty of veteran mainstays and rookies looking to make an impact. Defense will be key as the team returns keeper Nicole Lichtinger and defender Makayla Bucks, both named to the All-Conference Second Team in 2023. In the midfield, Cassie Johnson will work to distribute the ball as their fellow Second Teamer racked up nine assists last year. Ian Scheller enters his third year as the head coach, scheduling out tough non-conference opponents including Penn State Altoona as the season opener and Mount Aloysius on September 18.

Coach’s Outlook: “We come into 2024 as a team that continues to gain experience, but still has an incredibly young core. We have a roster of 32 players, one the largest in program history, with 22 freshmen and sophomores. I see us as a team that has a lot of potential, but we still have a lot to learn, and our coaching staff is looking forward to testing ourselves against some strong competition in 2024” - Ian Scheller

Cairn University
(2023 Record: 5-2-2 United East, 7-6-4 Overall)

Kailey Bartholomew begins her third season in charge of Cairn University women’s soccer with an older team coming off of a divisional final appearance in 2023. Though most of their all-conference awardees have graduated, sophomore Paige Noble returns after a debut season which saw her lead the team in goals (5), with two game-winning goals, and chipped in an assist for 11 total points and a Second Team All-Conference award.  Em Kuansongtham returns for a senior year after netting a goal and an assist last year while sophomore Emily Brittin holds down the backline.  The Highlanders open the 2024 season with a matchup against Gwynedd Mercy on September 4th and have non-conference matchups Delaware Valley University, Montclair State, and Marywood University before United East play begins on October 2 at Lancaster Bible College.

 

Coach’s Outlook: “We lost some key starters and senior leaders who won prestigious awards in the past, but we have a strong incoming class. We are a very young team full of energy, who are ready to learn while the coaching staff introduces a new system. Our incoming class and transfers are fast, skilled individually, and have high soccer IQs. While Cairn Soccer's core fundamentals and philosophy remain the same, this new young team will allow us to alter our strategy and create new tactical opportunities. Overall, we have high confidence in our players and team, and the coaching staff is eager to begin the regular season.” - Kailey Bartholomew

 

Lancaster Bible College
(2023 Record: 3-2-1 United East, 9-7-2 Overall)

Lancaster Bible has its sights on returning to the postseason as the Chargers piled up a nine win season last year. Head Coach Jake Warren goes into his fourth year as the bench captain and has slated a tough schedule including a non conference bout with Bryn Athyn on September 11 and Elizabethtown later that same week. Those battles will be fought by a couple solid returners including the Volt Rookie of the Year, Isabella Eufemia. Janae Bergey will also be a key defensive piece as the junior defender returns to the lineup.

Coach’s Outlook: “The LBC Chargers enter this season with a young squad that only includes 5 upperclassmen. The loss of All Conference forward Kendal Ream will be a huge hole to fill and offensively the team will need to find an attacking spark. LBC is returning a strong midfield and defensive unit that will make them a difficult game for anyone in the United East. Some early preseason injuries put the Chargers in a difficult position as they look to stay healthy and push for contention in conference play. Keep an eye out for All conference center back, Janae Bergey and forward, Bella Eufemia as they push the team forward this season.” - Jake Warren

 

Rosemont College
(2023 Record: 5-2-2 United East, 6-9-3 Overall)

Rosemont posted a solid conference record last season as they earned a spot in the playoffs, but the Ravens are hungry for more postseason action in 2024. Kathleen DeLitta will enter her fourth season as the Head Coach and has some key pieces that will help her squad achieve their goals. Cassidy Smith is one of those pieces as she started in all but one contest last year at the attacking center midfield position. She will have help on the back end as Emily Rossino returns as the Raven netminder.

Coach’s Outlook: “We graduated 8 seniors this past year which left a lot of space for incoming players to make their mark as First Years. We have a core Sophomore class who are looking to prove themselves. With the strong culture and leadership Rosemont Women's Soccer has built over the last three seasons we are looking to get the First Years contributing right away and to continue to challenge for a playoff opportunity for United East.” - Kathleen DeLitta

 

Cedar Crest College
(2023 Record: 4-1-4 United East, 4-5-7 Overall)

Cedar Crest was only defeated in one conference contest in 2023 and is hungry to turn their ties into victories going into 2024. Bella Bozen was a big component of the defense, earning a First Team All-Conference selection after posting a conference leading .602 goals-against average. She will get support from returners Lauren Davis and Abril Riley who both garnered Second Team nods. The Falcons welcome a new face in the Head Coach position as Rosie Famolaro has slated games against Bryn Mawr and Manhattonville to help the squad prep for conference competition. 

Coach’s Outlook: "Our staff is excited about the opportunity to lead the Falcon women's soccer program. We are fortunate to have some exceptional team leadership and a group with a strong work ethic and eagerness to learn and develop. We have an excellent foundation to build on and are looking forward to what is to come this season." - Rosie Famolaro

 

St. Mary’s College of Maryland
(2023 Record: 3-2-1, 7-8-3 Overall)

Peter Krech is starting year 11 at the head of St. Mary’s (Md.) College with an experienced team looking for another postseason appearance in 2024.  Senior Ella Raines earned Second Team All-Conference last season after scoring four goals, three game-winning, adding an assist, and starting eleven games.  Flor Katz-Staff captains the squad in their 5th year after playing all 17 matches last year, starting 14 of them while sophomore Allie Petryszak earned a Second Team All-Conference after leading the team in Minutes Played (1,420) and starting 17 out of 18 games.  The Seahawks open the 2024 campaign hosting a tournament against Greensboro College and Rutgers-Camden on August 30-31 and have non-conference matchups against No. 25 McDaniel, Catholic University, and Elizabethtown College.  United East play begins on September 28 at Wilson College.  

Keystone College
(2023 Record: 2-7-0 United East), 3-12-0 Overall)

Kelly Irwin rises to the Head Coach position as she leads the Giants into the 2024 season. Keystone set up some early challenges to help prepare for conference play including a bout against King's College the opening weekend and a match against Neumann the following week. A trio of sophomores will have a big impact on the 2024 squad as Livia Hable, Victory Frantz and Sarah Koster all started in nearly every game their rookie years and look to do the same this season.

Coach’s Outlook: "Players have improved greatly since spring season and are ready for their season to start. While some already hurt, they are getting examined and becoming ready to play in the short amount of time we have for the first game." - Kelly Irwin