PITMAN — Defending conference champion TCNJ picked up six of the possible 10 first place votes to be predicted to win the NJAC Women’s Soccer title in 2024 based on preseason polling of the conference’s 10 head coaches. Defending regular season champion Rowan garnered the remaining four first place votes and is predicted to finish second.
Montclair State is predicted third and Stockton is slotted fourth. NJCU and Rutgers-Camden round out the top six predicted to qualify for the six-team conference tournament. Kean – this year’s dark horse selection – along with Rutgers-Newark, William Paterson, and Ramapo round out the preseason poll.
The season opens on Friday, Aug. 30, with all but Rowan in action on day one. Rowan kicks off its season on Sunday, Sept. 1.
The top six teams in the regular season NJAC standings will qualify for the conference tournament with a chance to win the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The conference tournament opens on Saturday, Nov. 2, with the quarterfinals. The semifinals are set for Wednesday, Nov. 6, while the championship game is slated for Saturday, Nov. 9.
2024 NJAC WOMEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL
(first place votes in parentheses)
- TCNJ (6)
- Rowan (4)
- Montclair State
- Stockton
- NJCU
- Rutgers-Camden
- Kean (dark horse)
- Rutgers-Newark
- William Paterson
- Ramapo
TCNJ
Perennial contender TCNJ looks to reclaim the conference trophy in 2024 after finishing runner-up last year. The Lions boasted the league’s top offense last season, averaging 3.75 goals per game. A big part of that was All-American and reigning NJAC Midfielder of the Year Victoria D’Imperio, who led the NJAC in points (47), goals (20), and game-winning goals (8) and ranked fourth in assists (7). With TCNJ’s other top scorers from last year graduated, Ella Van Dine is expected to step up into a bigger role. She saw action in 18 games with one start, while recording 10 points on four goals and two assists. In the back field, All-American and three-time all-conference pick Ava Curtis returns along with NJAC Second Team selection Rachel Burkhard. The duo helped TCNJ limit opponents to just 0.60 goals per game to rank second in the NJAC in scoring defense. Both also provide a scoring option. Burkhard recorded 13 points on five goals and three assists, while Curtis added 12 points on three goals and six assists.
Head Coach Danny Blank: “We graduated four of our starting front five, so we’re going to be a very different team going forward. We’re excited about a big recruiting class that includes a few transfers.”
ROWAN
Defending champion Rowan seeks the trophy once again this year and will have the personnel to make a strong run through the conference tournament. On the offensive side, the Profs’ top two scorers return. All-Conference forward Mackenzie Clement is back after leading the Profs in scoring last year. She ranked second in the NJAC in goals (15) and third in points (32) and game-winning goals (4). Two-time all-conference forward Olivia Giordano returns after ranking fifth in the NJAC in points (27), tied for third in goals (12), and second in game-winning goals (6). Two-time all-conference midfielder Lianna SanFelice returns; she led the Profs with six assists last year to rank in the top six in the NJAC. The Profs also return much of its staunch defense. Two-time all-conference back Julianna Giordano along with Meghan Kryjer both started all 18 games last year and helped the Profs post the NJAC’s best team goals against average (0.44). They ultimately gave up just eight goals all season.
Newcomers to Watch: Sarah Weideman (M; Wagner College), Makala Baker (D; Williamstown HS)
Head Coach Scott Leacott: “We have a veteran returning team with a very solid incoming class and should compete for the conference title again.”
MONTCLAIR STATE
The Red Hawks look to contend once again after finishing third last year. Although many players from last year’s squad graduated, two key components of MSU’s high-powered offense are back including two-time All-American and reigning NJAC Offensive Player of the Year Aileen Cahill and two-time all-conference selection Kylie Prendergast. Cahill, a major award winner in each year of her career so far, recorded 31 points on 12 goals and seven assists last year to rank in the top four in the NJAC in goals, assists, and points. Prendergast ranked sixth in the NJAC in points (25) behind eight goals and nine assists. Her nine assists were the second-most in the conference. Three-time all-conference defender Emmi DeNovellis returns. She logged 1432 minutes in the back field last year, among the most on the team. The Red Hawks also regain the services of 2022 NJAC First Team back Ashley DeFrancesco, who missed 2023 due to injury.
Newcomers to Watch: Mackenzie Albert (F; Iona College), Aria Hicks (D; George Mason University), Mackenzie Morano (D; LIU)
Head Coach Pat Naughter: “If we are able to gel and stay healthy, I think we could be a contending team in the NJAC. It will be difficult to replace as many good players as we lost to graduation.”
STOCKTON
Stockton aims to be in contention this season thanks to a strong core group of returners along with added depth thanks to a strong recruiting class. The Ospreys welcome back two-time all-conference pick and top scorer Erica Dietz, who posted eight goals and an assist for a team-high 17 points last year. Three-time all-conference midfielder Emily Hauck returns. Hauck recorded six points on one goal and four assists last season. Three-time all-conference back Sophia Drea will head up the defensive unit and is joined by experienced defensive mid Isabella Bednarz. They helped the Ospreys limit opponents to less than a goal per game last year.
Newcomers to Watch: Katie Portley (D/M; Shawnee HS), Mia Caruso (M/F; Brick Memorial HS), Abby Cristaudo (M; Brookfield HS (CT))
Head Coach Nick Juengert: “This year's team will be centered around a core veteran squad while adding depth in some key positions. We are very excited to see what our incoming players are capable of and we expect them to make an impact right away.”
NJCU
Fresh off an exciting season that saw the Gothic Knights qualify for their first-ever conference tournament and then win their first-ever playoff game, they are excited to get back to work in 2024. Three-time all-conference forward Kim Brites and two-time all-conference midfielder Nyrohah Alvarenga return to lead the offense. Alvarenga posted a team-best 17 points on six goals and five assists last year. In an injury-shortened year that saw her play just 11 games, Brites still tallied 11 points on four goals and three assists along with two game winners. Reigning NJAC Goalkeeper of the Year Sophia Mannino is back in net this season. The First Team All-NJAC keeper led the league in total saves with 108, with many point-blank stops in conference action last year that were ultimately the difference in several wins and draws. Center back Gabby Sharpe will lead the back line after starting all 19 games last year and logging nearly 1500 minutes.
Newcomers to Watch: Sarah Reyes (M; Bergenfield HS), Arianna Chavez (M; Union County College), Kyanah-belle Jean-Louis (D; Washington Twp. HS)
Head Coach Anthony Tuesta: “We have an excellent group of returning players with some exciting new additions. We’re excited to get to work and make another run in the NJAC.”
RUTGERS-CAMDEN
The Scarlet Raptors bring back most of their starters from a squad that finished tied for fourth in the NJAC last year and made the conference tournament. The returning starters include the team’s top two scorers in Maresa Savarese and Emily Owens. Savarese posted a team-high 18 points on seven goals and four assists while Owens recorded 13 points on four goals and a team-best five assists. All-Conference defenders Amy Maurer and Gianna Patitucci are back after helping the Raptors limited opponents to just 0.89 goals per game to rank as the number three scoring defense in the NJAC. Maurer also contributed four goals.
Newcomers to Watch: Ava Stowell (M; Timber Creek HS), Mckenna Girtanner (D; East Brunswick HS)
Head Coach Kevin Luber: “This is a squad that is returning a lot of starters from 2023. We have a good mix of upperclassmen that have competed well in their time here at Rutgers-Camden and a good incoming eager class to help push this program forward.”
KEAN
With many key returners, Kean looks to move up in the NJAC standings this year. All-Conference forwards Anabel Makutonin and Sonya Brewer return to lead the offense. Makutonin was the team’s leading scorer in just her rookie season last year, posting nine points on four goals and an assist. Brewer added six points on two goals and two assists while starting all 16 games. The Cougar defense brings back a pair of experienced players in Rebecca Zahner and Georgia Boberg, who both saw valuable time last season as they both started the majority of the 17 contests.
Newcomers to Watch: Courtney Irwin (Hanover Park HS), Aubrey Platt (Northern Burlington HS), Ella Petrosh (Holy Spirit HS)
Head Coach Brian Doherty: “We are looking to improve on last year’s finish. Everyone on defense returns and we should be a better attacking team. We have a lot of returners who played big minutes last year with great leadership.”
RUTGERS-NEWARK
The Scarlet Raiders look to be in the mix for a playoff spot this season with key returners and an eager young team. Leila Ettayebi, a three-time all-conference forward, will spearhead the offense once again this season. Ettayebi posted a team-high 11 points on four goals and three assists last year. Two-time all-conference outside back Seoane Oaxaca provides experienced leadership in the backfield after starting all 18 games last year and logging a team-high 1540 minutes. She is joined by defensive mid Maria Castillo, who gained valuable experience last year in starting 13 of 15 that she played.
Newcomers to Watch: Sophia Veloso (D; North Arlington HS), Emily Karlicki (F; Bayonne HS), Eliza Haghighi (M/F; Mount Saint Dominic HS)
Head Coach Nate Guagliardi: “Overall our team is young but with the returners we have coming back, exciting. With a young group, leadership will play a huge factor, and I believe we have quality leaders that will step up when the time comes.”
WILLIAM PATERSON
The Pioneers bring back a solid core including nine seniors who are eager to make waves in the NJAC this season. On the offensive side, two-time all-conference forward Julia Fiorito returns. She punched in six goals for a team-leading 12 points last year. She is joined by experienced mid Brianna De La Cruz, the second-leading scorer last season who recorded eight points on two goals and a team-best four assists. Two-time all-conference defender Erin Clark will prowl the back line once again. She started all 17 games and logged a team-high 1530 minutes. She will also be joined by experienced back Hailey Nelson, who also started all 17 contests last year. Nelson also chipped in a pair of assists.
Newcomers to Watch: Michaela Kerr (M; West Deptford HS), Janie Henderson (F; Hopatcong HS)
Head Coach Keith Woods: “We have an experienced team with nine seniors. A solid defensive core returns led by Erin Clark and three-year starting goalkeeper Sarah Mantilla. The Pioneers will look to a group of upperclassmen to improve their scoring from the 2023 season.”
RAMAPO
With losing two all-conference players to graduation, younger Roadrunners will look to step up into leadership roles this season. Midfielder Amber Maher is the leading returning scorer with 13 points on six goals and one assist in 15 games. Defender Mia Santana is the veteran back on the squad after starting all 15 games last year and logging over 1200 minutes. She is joined by Emily Dustman, who started eight of nine games she appeared in last year.
Newcomers to Watch: Amanda Barr (M; Toms River HS East), Morgan Korinach (F; Jackson Memorial HS)
Head Coach Abby Shiffler: “With a lot of newcomers this year, we will be a young but talented squad.”