After consecutive playoff berths in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), the Stony Brook women’s soccer team is poised to make a championship run.
In their first two years as members of the CAA, the Seawolves have exceeded preseason expectations, but have fallen short of any playoff success. Despite making the conference’s postseason twice in as many years after a pair of solid regular season showings, Stony Brook has yet to make any noise in the playoffs, as it was bounced in the first round during each year.
Last year, the Seawolves went 6-6-6 overall and 4-4-4 in CAA play. In the first round of the playoffs, they were outmatched by Monmouth in a 3-0, season-ending defeat. Despite the early playoff exit, the Seawolves were shown more respect from opposing coaches in the 2024 CAA women’s soccer preseason poll. After being ranked 10th in 2022 and 2023, the team moved up to sixth in this year’s poll.
“I think we are at the point where we can take the next step,” head coach Tobias Bischof said in an interview with The Statesman. “We know that we belong and can compete in this league. The goal of making the playoffs is not the end goal. The end goal is to compete for the championship.”
The objective to reach uncharted territory in the CAA is shared by the team’s players.
“I feel like there’s almost a different energy in the air this year,” defender Kerry Pearson said. “We’re all wanting that ring on a different level.”
As Stony Brook’s captain and defensive anchor, Pearson will be one of the team’s pivotal figures. The 2023 All-CAA First Team selectee will look to boost a backline that experienced mixed results last year.
The Seawolves conceded 1.28 goals per game in 2023, just the seventh-best mark in the league. Stony Brook will look to improve its defense without defender Catharina von Drigalski, as the team’s five-year left-back graduated in the offseason.
Much of the responsibility in filling the void left by von Drigalski will fall with defenders Angelina Lent and Aneta Sováková. The pair combined to make 31 appearances and 24 starts last season. Both will likely feature in the Seawolves’ starting backline alongside Pearson.
If Bischof runs with his usual four-back scheme, defenders Sammy Hannwacker, Sophia Racioppi and Emanuelly Ferreira are frontrunners for the remaining spot. While Hannwacker and Racioppi did not receive much playing time last year, Ferreira played 11 matches.
Stony Brook also added depth to its backline, as first-year defenders Taylor Steinagel and Eva Sprewell could be a part of the rotation. Conversely, defender Nicole Niculescu is a veteran who could also receive playing time.
Along with their defensive depth, the Seawolves can also rely on Nicolette Pasquarella, one of the CAA’s best goalkeepers. Last season, she ranked third in the conference in saves per game (4.11) and seventh in save percentage (.771).
Although Pasquarella — who appeared and started in all 18 games last year — seems to be the shoo-in starter between the sticks, Stony Brook has other options. Newcomers Marissa Read and Trinitie Maloney will battle for the backup goalkeeper spot alongside Kaitlyn Vo.
Similar to their defense, another unit that faced inconsistency in 2023 was the Seawolves’ offense. Though Stony Brook’s attack scored 1.61 goals per game — the fourth-best mark in the league — it was still shut out seven times last season.
“Top five was not good enough for me,’’ Bischof said. “I want to be the team who scores even more goals and is competing for that spot of most goals scored in conference play.”
The catalyst for any improvement on the offensive end will be 2023 All-CAA Second Team and 2024 All-CAA Preseason Team honoree forward Reilly Rich. She found the back of the net six times last year in just 12 matches, as Rich missed the team’s final six games due to a knee injury.
“I think being on the sideline makes you that much hungrier to want to come back, and want to come back a better version of yourself,” Rich said. “I definitely feel a lot quicker, faster and stronger and I’m ready for this season.”
In her efforts to uplift the Seawolves’ attack, Rich will be flanked by a talented group of forwards: Luciana Setteducate, Gabrielle Côté and 2023 CAA All-Rookie Team member Ashley Bell. The trio combined for eight goals and five assists in 2023.
In the offseason, Setteducate had a standout year for the Long Island Rough Riders of the USL W. She earned the league’s Golden Boot Award by netting 18 goals in 12 matches.
Other important pieces on Stony Brook’s offense include forwards Hannah Maracina, Natalie Bala and Leah Rifas. All three will provide depth for Bischof.
Much of the Seawolves’ success this season could fall with their midfield, which is spearheaded by 2023 All-CAA Third Team selectee Linn Beck. A 2024 All-CAA Preseason Team Honorable Mention, Beck posted four goals and four assists last year while being a reliable weapon on both sides of the ball.
Other vital returners who will be positioned alongside Beck are midfielders Gabby Daniels and Ashley Manor. While Daniels is a defensive midfielder, Manor is expected to continue taking more ground up the field. She netted a pair of goals in 2023.
Midfielders Kristina Garcia and Kaylee Armenia — both experienced players — will likely be the first players off the bench in the middle of the field.
Outside of the returning core, there will be plenty of new faces in the midfield. Mercy Sabuni Söderling, Maya Corbett, Hedvig Helling and Jamie Keens will all have chances to make a name for themselves as incoming first-year players.
“If we come into preseason, it’s time to prove yourself again if you returned,” Bischof said. “It’s time to prove yourself for the first time if you’re a freshman. There are no freshmen and seniors. There’s just soccer players and they are making a case for themselves.”
Stony Brook kicks off its season on Thursday, Aug. 15, when it hosts Colgate at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium.
