LECIESTER, Mass. – The Becker College women's soccer team is ready to kick-off the 2018 season under second-year head coach Anthony Cosky, who guided the team to an 11-10 overall (5-3 NECC) record in his inaugural season with the Hawks.

Cosky's team expects to return 14 players this season.  

The Hawks will be headlined by senior forward Lindsey Keith (Sutton, Mass.) who earned spots on the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) First Team All-Conference and United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-Region after leading the league in goals (21) and points (48).  

Also returning for the 2018 season are seniors Ciara McKissick (Charlton, Mass.) and Jordyn Martel (Chicopee, Mass.), who were both named to the NECC All-Conference Second-Team last year.  McKissick totaled 28 points on 10 goals and eight assists, while Martel was the starting goalkeeper who registered a 1.21 goals against average with a .803 save percentage and shutout nine opponents.

Junior Kyra Teixeira (Old Lyme, Conn.) will also return, as she earned a spot on the All-Conference Third Team in the previous season for racking up 22 points on 10 goals and two assists.

The Hawks will look to replace center back Meghan Bealka (Freetown, Mass.), who was named to the NECC All-Conference Third Team.

 "The expectations are high and the bar will be raised because we only lost one senior and are bringing in a lot of new players that will change the atmosphere to make it more competitive during training," commented Cosky.

The team is excited to welcome a large group of incoming freshman and transfers. Some potential impact players include freshmen Lyndsey Cobb-Wilkins (Elmira, N.Y.), Alana Garofalo (Berlin, Conn.), Rebecca Beringer (Waterville, Maine), and Hannah Trottier (Douglas, Mass.). The transfers are Shannon Kelley (Bellingham, Mass.) from Mount Ida and Emma Schoenbeck (Gorham, N.H.) from Rivier, among many others.

"We have some dynamic goal scorers, but we also added some outside midfielders to make us more dangerous in wide areas," said Cosky.  "We will have a lot of depth in all positions.  We have great leaders in our seven seniors and a lot of younger players who will make a huge impact."

With the addition of New England College and Eastern Nazarene to the NECC, Cosky expects the opposition will be even more competitive. "There are so many factors, but I think if we can be consistent and just enjoy the big moments and big games, we will have a great chance to challenge teams like Lesley and Elms for a conference championship," expressed Cosky.

Becker College's women's soccer team was picked to finish fifth of 10 teams in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC). Lesley was the top choice, while Elms and New England College followed. To view the NECC preseason poll, pleaseCLICK HERE

The women's soccer team opens up at home on Sunday, Sep. 2 as they will host Northern Vermont University-Lyndon at 1 p.m. at Alumni Field. For the complete 2018 schedule, please CLICK HERE