Women's Soccer to Debut John Makuvek Field with 2016 Opener Thursday Evening
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College women’s soccer team will be the first team to play a regular season match on the new turf John Makuvek Field when the Greyhounds begin their 2016 campaign on Thursday, September 1 versus Arcadia University in a non-conference match beginning at 7:00 p.m.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College women's soccer team will be the first team to play a regular season match on the new turf John Makuvek Field when the Greyhounds begin their 2016 campaign on Thursday, September 1 versus Arcadia University in a non-conference match beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Head Coach Jeff Ykoruk enters his third season at Moravian with 14 letterwinners and six starters back from last year's squad that qualified for the Landmark Conference Tournament. The Greyhounds have been selected fourth in the 2016 Landmark Conference Preseason Poll.
Senior forward Hannah LaFronz is the Hounds' top returning scorer with two goals and an assist last season. Junior forward/midfielder Emily Crowley added two goals while sophomore forward Gabby Stelzmiller had a pair of assists in her first collegiate season. Senior forward Valentina Margiottiello had one assist last year while sophomore Kara Reifsnyder adds depth to the front line.
Moravian's defense will be anchored by senior Christine Miklas and junior Lauren Bertucci, who were both named to the Landmark All-Conference Second Team a year ago. Bertucci also scored two goals last fall while senior Maria Manz and sophomore Paige Kovacs return for depth on the defensive end. Sophomore Gabby Nasta missed 2015 with an injury and looks to challenge for playing time.
Coach Ykoruk has sophomores Mackenzie Koziel, Maddie Walker and Cassidy Patterson bringing experience back to the midfield while the Greyhounds have had a battle in preseason camp for the starting goalie position with junior Jessica Lawton having posted 11 saves in limited action over the last two seasons.
Watch a season preview video below.
