Women's Soccer 2017 Season Looks Promising With a Recruiting Class of 20
The 2017 Union County College Women's soccer team returns to action this fall following an 8-9 record in 2016. Head coach Angie Correia will lead the team for her first complete season with the Owls.
The Owls are slated to open their season away on Wednesday, August 23rd at the North Country 50th Anniversary Kickoff Classic.
When asked about the team's conference prospects, Correia reports "This will be a very difficult season as there is no easy opponent. The team will need to establish their chemistry and play great defense in order to find the results we are looking for."
While their schedule may be challenging, the Owls have a great mix of talented rookies and returners, who will work together to lead the team to victory. Correia is happy to welcome a class of 20 incoming freshmen to add to her 6 returners. The rookies are led by midfielders Barbara Ferreira, Alexis Wysocki, Gabriella Angrisano; defenders Maya Lawler, Amanda Mota, Jackie Argueta, Jessica Goncalves; forwards Brittany Correia, Steffany Marroquin, Olivia Zaremba and goalies Lauren Buchanan and Sophia DasNeves.
Forward
Up top the Owls return Rosa Bonilla, who placed 12th in the nation in 2016 with goals scored. Brittany Correia, Steffany Marroquin and Olivia Zaremba have demonstrated they are all capable of earning a starting spot through their club/high school careers. According to Coach Correia, "These young ladies are all able to put the ball in the back of the net and I look forward to watching them earn their time."
Midfield
The Owls will return Michelle Guerra and Wendy Reyes to the midfield, in which both had a solid 2016 campaign. Newcomers Barbara Ferreira, Alexis Wysocki, Gabriella Angrisano, Jeanne Salguero and Jocelyn Ramos will add plenty of skills and speed to the mix. Coach Correia will look to newcomers Barbara Ferreira (Union High School/ FC Copa standout), Alexis Wysocki Rahway High School/ EYS Vipers) and Jeanne Salguero to fill the playmaker roles in the center midfield.
Defender
The Owls defense will have 11 players who can compete in securing the back line and are also capable of playing the midfield role. Coach Correia will look to Kean University transfer Amanda Mota, and Cranford High School standout Maya Lawler in securing the center back positions and becoming the true heart of the team. Jessica Goncalves (Rutgers- Newark transfer) and Jaquelin Argueta (Elizabeth High school/ EYS Vipers standout) have shown they are able to secure the back line and play the outside defensive and midfield roles as needed. The back line will also include newcomers Vannesa Aguirre, Mildre Cruz, Nadine Chanazaroff-Fernandez, Itati Aguirre-Lopez, Vanessa Gomes and returners Emily Morris and Nicole Almagro.
Goalkeeper
The Owls will look to three newcomers to provide a clean sheet when given the opportunity. Lauren Buchanan (Union Dragons standout) Sophia DasNeves (Union Scorpions standout) and Alexandra Motron will all compete for the starting spot. Sophia DasNeves will also see plenty of time on the field as she is a versatile player and can play anywhere needed.
The 2017 Lady Owls look optimistically to their season and will begin preseason together on August 1st.
Women's Soccer Signing Day - 2017
