With a boosted roster that features 16 returners, the Mansfield University women's soccer team will look to start the 2022 season strong when they welcome non-conference opponent Salem University on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 28.
The contest will kick off at 1 p.m. on the MU Soccer Field.
After back-to-back seasons with the largest roster size in program history, the Mountaineers continue that trend in 2022, this time, however, over half are returners with significant collegiate experience.
"Overall It's been the best group I've had in my five years in terms of leadership as a whole," Shaffer on the strength of the club. "Olivia Bowman and Danny Drain as captains have been phenomenal leaders, but the upper classmen as a whole have set an example for the underclassmen in terms of how to play, but also how to act on and off the field."
The Mounties' schedule will feature 16 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division games and two non-conference matches. MU will host six games at the grass Soccer Field, three on the turf of Karl Van Norman Field and will hit the road for the remaining seven matches.
The Mountaineers are seeking to improve on a 2-14-2 overall record from last season. The squad came out victorious their last time on the pitch, as they downed rival Lock Haven University, 1-0, in dramatic golden-goal fashion.
"The scrimmages this preseason went really well - everyone got to play, we got to try different people in different positions with different combinations and our defense has been really strong," Shaffer added. "Our returners have come in fit and our rookies have adjusted to our style quickly. I am excited to see what this group can do together."
THE BREAKDOWN
MIDFIELDERS
The Mountaineers will run nine-deep at the midfield position this year, giving Shaffer plenty of options to experiment in his new system, while providing much needed depth during a grueling PSAC schedule.
Despite only starting 11 games, junior Emily Smith returns as one of the top point scorers on the Mounties. Smith finished second on the team with three goals and six points, but her top moment came in the Mountaineers victory over rival Lock Haven University, when she connected on the golden goal in the opening minute of overtime.
Gabby Swan returns as one of just two seniors on the roster after appearing in a career-high 14 games last season. Swan collected two shots, with one coming on goal in 345 minutes.
Junior Bailey Dockman will appear in the Mountaineer lineup all over the field after making 13 starts and appearing in every game during her first season. Dockman ended the 2021 campaign strong, scoring a goal against Kutztown in late October before dishing out the game-winning assist to Smith on the last day of the season.
Junior Madison Reinert signifies the Mountaineers never-quit attitude, as she has herself in top shape entering the season after overcoming a stroke over a year ago.
Also returning for their second season on the pitch, sophomore Danielle Drain and junior Kylie Boyer. Drain started all 18 games as a defensive mid, while Boyer appeared in all but one game, making five starts.
Shaffer brought in a rookie trio of Quelyn Nepa, Samantha Kozminski, and Olivia Hudson, who have all adjusted to the system quickly and will compete for playing time this season.
Coaches' Take: "We've changed our formation this year to try and put the right people in the right spots, while creating the depth we will need. Emily Smith is back and will play in the midfield as a dynamic and opportunity-creating player. Bailey Dockman and Olivia Hudson are both great in the mid, but will also play outside back when we need them to. Danny drain is back and having an impact at a variety of mid field positions. Madison Reinert is back after a major health scare over a year ago. She is a miracle and she's playing great and we are so happy to have her back making an impact. Sam Kozminski and Quelyn Nepa have had solid preseasons and give us even more options."
Returners: Gabby Swan, Sr., Liverpool, N.Y. / Liverpool; Emily Smith, Jr., Lehman, Pa. / Lake-Lehman; Bailey Dockman, Jr., Waynesboro, Pa. / Saint Maria Goretti; Danielle Drain, So., Denver, Pa. / Cocalico; Madison Reinert, Jr., Oley Valley, Pa. / Oley Valley; Kylie Boyer, Jr., Hummelstown, Pa. / Lower Dauphin;
Newcomers: Quelyn Nepa, Fr., Easton, Pa. / Easton; Samantha Kozminski, Fr., Pennsburg, Pa. / Upper Perkiomen; Olivia Hudson, Fr., Camden, Del. / Caeser Rodney
FORWARDS
Sophomore Katelyn Rueppel returns as the Mounties most dynamic scorer, after ranking near the top of the conference amongst rookies for points (eight) after finding the back of the net a team-leading four times.
Junior Jordan Miller also returns after appearing in all 18 games last season, making four starts, while finishing fifth on the team in shots.
Sophomore Magi Earnest appeared in every game but one in 2021 with the second unit, but will push for an even bigger role after an impressive preseason.
Freshman Lauren Straub rounds out the group as the lone rookie out of Northampton High School.
Coaches' Take: "The forwards can be the most dangerous group we have. Katelyn Rueppel has shifted to a more attacking position, coming off her great freshman year. Magi Earnest has been impressive with her fitness this preseason and will join Katelyn. Jordan miller and Lauren Straub are also a dangerous combination at forward. This is a very dynamic group, we will try different combinations throughout the year and we expect to score."
Returners: Magi Earnest, So., Millville, Pa. / Millville; Katelyn Rueppel, So., Myerstown, Pa. / Eastern Lebanon County; Jordan Miller, Jr., Davidsville, Pa. / Conemaugh Township
Newcomers: Lauren Straub, Fr., Walnutport, Pa. / Northampton
DEFENDERS
Rising junior Taylar Luckenbill highlights a talented group of Mountaineer defenders and will look to repeat her dominate sophomore season that was capped off with a 2nd-Team All-PSAC selection. Luckenbill finished second on the team with 1585 minutes and 18 shots (nine on goal), while leading the team with two assists. Luckenbill drilled a free kick from 45 yards out into the heart of the defense that led to an own goal in the Mountaineers 2-0 win over Roberts Wesleyan.
Senior Oliva Bowman and junior Britlyn Higgins also return with significant playing time and are expected to lock down the right and left back on the defense. Higgins started the first 13 games of the season, logging 1085 minutes, before missing the remainder of the year with an injury, while Bowman has started 30 games and appeared in 36 over two seasons, notching two assists as a freshman.
Junior Michaela Horst joins the Mounties as a transfer from Hagerstown Community College, where she started 14 games, notching one goal and one assist as a team captain.
Junior Grace Long is also competing for center back minutes, as she compiled over 400 minutes in four starts during her rookie season.
Junior Kiara James and sophomore Catherine Simone both return to the Mountaineers backline after appearing in a combined 13 games in 2021.
Freshmen trio Madison Herb, Oliva Hudson and Taya-Reese Johnson join the Mountaineers and will look to make an immediate impact for the red and black during their first collegiate season.
Coaches' Take: "Taylar Luckenbill is back at left center back and is playing very well after missing the spring season with an injury. Taylar has a brilliant left foot off free kicks and is super dangerous in one in the box as someone who can finish off corners for us. Madison Herb is a freshman coming in competing for center back as well and has been a real plus. Grace Long and Catherine Simone are competing for the center back spots as well and doing excellent, Grace can also play outside back. Britlyn Higgins at left back and Olivia Bowmen at right back are both returners and are really dangerous players who bring back experience. Michaela Horst, Olivia Hudson, Bailey Dockman, Kiara James and Taya-Reese Johnson are also versatile athletes for us and I expect them to compete all over the field."
Returners: Britlyn Higgins, Jr., York, Pa. / Central York; Grace Long, Jr., Selinsgrove, Pa. / Selinsgrove; Taylar Luckenbill, Jr., Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin; Kiara James, Jr., Bethlehem, Pa. / Freedom; Catherine Simone, So., Lewisburg, Pa. / Lewisburg; Olivia Bowman, Sr., Johnson City, N.Y. / Johnson City
Newcomers: Michaela Horst, Jr., Mont Alto, Pa. / Waynesburg; Madison Herb, Fleetwood, Pa. / Fleetwood
GOALKEEPERS
The Mountaineers will feature a returner in Faith Cameron and rookie in Samantha Merklin in net this season.
Cameron, a junior from Center Valley, Pa., returns after seeing significant action in goal during her first season of action in 2021. The Southern Lehigh graduate split time in net with the Mountaineers' all-time saves leader Stephanie Moir '22, finishing the season with 54 saves, one victory, and one shutout in 720 minutes.
Merklin is a 5-9 freshman out of Pleasant Valley High School, where she earned Pennsylvania All-State as after a dominate senior season.
Coaches' Take: "Faith and Sam are both playing very well and have done well in scrimmages, giving me a good problem to have. I'm blessed to be in the position to have a freshman and a junior that are both college quality and can both win us games."
Returners: Faith Cameron, Jr., Center Valley, Pa. / Southern Lehigh
Newcomers: Samantha Merklin, Fr./ Pleasant Valley
Original source can be found here.
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