ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's soccer has their sights set on a second-straight Liberty League title this season after breaking through a season ago winning the programs first-ever within the conference. The Bombers will play a 16-game regular season schedule in 2023 with nine home games at Carp Wood Field to go along with seven road contests.

Guided by Mindy Quigg who enters her 30^th season at the helm along with assistants Javi Mejia, Tom Keane, Andy Byrne and Camryn Hart, the team is hungry to build off last season's postseason run.
"Success and striving for it are engrained in our team culture," said Mindy Quigg. "These are standards that we set for our program year in year out. Getting better and performing at the highest level on a daily basis has always been a part of Ithaca women's soccer."

The team welcomes 11 newcomers, including a pair of transfers and returns 24, along with nearly 65 percent of goals scored last season. Last year's leading scorer Rosie Bostian netted eight goals and enters her senior season hungry for more along with Ally Stanton, Julia Cascone and Kaelyn Fernandez who each netted two or more goals apiece in 2022.

The team captured the 2022 Liberty League title in thrilling fashion, defeating William Smith in penalty kicks. As this season approaches, the team is developing their cohesion through training.

"Preseason was quick, but it went really well," remarked Quigg. "New players are embedding into our team culture and our returners are doing a great job of leading. There was clearly a commitment over the summer to return fit and focused."

Ithaca will feature a roster with plenty of veteran depth amongst its field players. Junior defender and 2022 All-Region III First Team selection Allison Heft is back to lead the defensive backline this season along with Clare Sunderland, Ali Amari, Allie McCabe and Rachel Hersch.

Amari will play a pivotal role getting the ball to the midfield that features fellow sophomore Kaelyn Hernandez who finished with six points a season ago. Senior captain Kaitlyn Weis who started all 21 games a season ago is also back along with key reserves Julia Cascone and Devin Sylvia who are expected to step up.

Adding to the team's offensive veteran presence and leading the front line is senior Rosie Bostian who picked up All-Region III Third Team Honors as well as All-Liberty League First Team honors a season ago. The forward scored eight goals in the regular season, tied for second highest amongst the Liberty League, and had one assist. She will look to for support in Fernandez, Ava Detorie and Ally Stanton, who was the second leading scorer netting seven goals in 2022.

"Our expectation this year is to stay true to our process and take every opportunity as it comes on a daily basis," said Quigg. "Control what we can control. I believe that the Liberty League is one of the strongest conferences in the country and the parity within makes every game competitive."
 

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Ithaca College will open its 2023 season on Friday, September 1 when it hosts Elmira College on Carp Wood Field. They will also host Mount St. Mary (N.Y.) on Sept. 6 followed by Lycoming College on Sunday, Sept. 10. The Bombers will then hit the road for a game against No. 21 ranked SUNY Cortland before finishing off its non-conference slate with a home contest against Nazareth (Sept. 16) and then a road match at Alfred University (Sept. 20).

All Ithaca College home games will provide live statistics and webcasts to viewers. Links are available on the women's soccer schedule. Game programs will also be posted to the schedule ahead of each home contest.