Women's Soccer | June 9, 2015

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PHILADELPHIA—Head coach Paul Royal has announced the schedule for the 2015 La Salle women's soccer season as the Explorers look to get back to the NCAA Tournament for a fifth straight year.
 
The Explorers open the season at home on August 24 against the Boston Terriers, who have qualified for eight of the last nine NCAA Tournaments.
 
"Even though it's a bit of a rebuilding year for our squad, we felt it was very important to play another very challenging schedule as we did last year," said Royal.
 
 The Explorers host Seton Hall (8/27) before visiting Maryland on August 30.
 
Lehigh visits La Salle on September 3 before the Blue and Gold begin a six-game road swing that ends with their A-10 opener at Massachusetts on October 1. Prior to their trip to Amherst, the Explorers will visit: Pittsburgh (9/6), Navy (9/11), James Madison (9/13), Princeton (9/16), and crosstown rival Temple (9/18).
 
La Salle welcomes Davidson to McCarthy Stadium for their A-10 home opener on October 4. For the full schedule, click here.
 
"We feel incredibly confident that we have brought in one of the premier freshmen classes in the region," added Royal. "These young ladies will offer a wonderful blend of heart, passion and toughness to contribute to continue our winning tradition and amazing team chemistry."
 
To help fight through the rigors of the Atlantic 10, the Explorers welcome six incoming freshmen to the program. 

"Once again, a lot of the credit goes to Ally Kenney for her timeless efforts in bringing in another outstanding recruiting class," added Royal. "She proven to be not just one of the premier assistant coaches in the country, but also has become one of the finest recruiters out there. Her tireless work ethic and uncanny ability to identify top level talent has been such a wonderful addition to our program. She has been a key piece to us becoming a top 30 program over the last four years."

 
Maci Bower
Millville, Pa./Millville Area
LDC United Lightning 96-97
 
Bower is the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association's all-time leading scorer with 220 goals…Four-time First Team All-State selection at Millville…Bower scored 80 goals as a senior on the way to an NSCAA Regional All-America selection…Led the Quakers to Mid Pennsylvania Championships in 2013 and 2014…Also scored 1,000 points on the hardwood for the Quakers on the way to earning a Second Team All-State selection as a senior…Also finished 5th in the District Class AA Girls Track and Field meet in the 200 and 400 meter events…Distinguished Honor Roll student.

Bower on choosing La Salle: "I chose La Salle because I wanted to play in a top level Division I soccer program that was in a big city and would give me the opportunity to eventually reach the professional level. It was an added bonus that my older sister plays at La Salle. I loved the coaches and the opportunity that La Salle will provide me."
 
Coach Royal on Bower: "We are all so excited that Maci will get the opportunity to join her sister, Madi, here at La Salle. Maci will immediately impact our attack and give us a dangerous threat running in behind defenses.  Her tireless work rate and pace will give us an exciting brand of attack that will cause havoc for opposing teams.  Maci has proven she has a knack for finishing balls and we firmly believe that you will not find two better rookie attackers in the Atlantic 10 and our region than Maci and incoming teammate, Bria.  It's very hard to compare any forwards to Kelsey Haycook, but these two young ladies have a lot of the same tendencies and instincts that made Kelsey a world-class finisher."
 
Bria Bittiger
Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg
FC Revolution 2010-2013/ Rage SC 2014-present
 
Named a 2014 NSCAA High School All-American, becoming only the second recruit in program history to earn All-America honors…Two-time NSCAA Regional All-American and four-time All-State selection… Four-time Mountain Valley Conference MVP…Monroe County's All-Time leading scorer (140 goals)…Led Stroudsburg to an Eastern Pennsylvania State Championship as a junior…Led the Mountaineers to a 67-13 record during her four years... …2014 Pocono Record Player of the Year… Eastern FC Revolution club team was ranked No. 1 in the nation twice by GotSoccer… Member of Students Against Destructive Decisions & Special Olympics Staff…Represented Stroudsburg on the Student-Athlete Character/Sportsmanship Council of Eastern Pennsylvania.
 
Bittiger on choosing La Salle: "I chose La Salle because of the excellent academic opportunities and the highly respected women's soccer program that will not only help me reach new heights as a player, but also as a person.  Coach Royal and Kenney create a tremendous feeling of family that makes being an Explorer special.  It's a positive atmosphere where student athletes are held to high standards.  I knew after my first visit that this is where I wanted to be for the next four years."
 
Coach Royal on Bittiger: "We are very fortunate to have landed such a talented and sophisticated forward in Bria.  Her ability to score goals both off the dribble and with well-timed runs in the box will help her become one of most dangerous attackers in the Atlantic 10.  Bria will bring a lot of balance and depth to our already talented forward line.  She will allow us the opportunity to play a few different styles of play.  We are very excited to see Bria evolve in our highly competitive and hard-working system."
 
Chloe Lewis
Columbia, Md./Glenelg Country School
Premier Soccer Club Baltimore 97
 
Four-time All-Conference selection at Glenelg Country School...Member of Maryland's ODP from 2009-2011, and Regional Pool in 2010…Member of Premier Soccer Club Baltimore 97 that won the Maryland State Cup from 2010-2014…Regional Champions (2010)…Regional Finalists in 2012 and '13…CASL Champions in 2013 and '14… Players Development Academy Tournament Champions (2013)…Four-year Honor Roll student at Glenelg.
 
Lewis on choosing La Salle: "Whenever I'm on campus I feel right at home. Once I saw that the soccer team was like a family I knew La Salle was where I belonged. I really liked the level of interaction between the coaching staff and the players, and La Salle also offers numerous academic opportunities for me to grow as a student."
 
Coach Royal on Lewis: "Chloe's athleticism and defensive prowess will immediately allow her to compete for significant opportunities on our backline.  Through the recruiting process we've seen her take her game to another level with her competitive spirit, increased work rate and pride in her 1v1 defending.  Her aerial ability along with her confidence on the field should allow her to become one of the premier defenders in the A-10. We are expecting a lot of great things from Chloe and we're excited about her joining our family here at La Salle University."
 
Jess McKee
Sewell, NJ/Washington Township
FC Bucks Fury ECNL
 
Helped lead FC Bucks Fury ECNL club team to North American Cup National Championship in 2014…Member of New Jersey ODP from 2010-2013… Region 1 Tournament Champions in 2012 and '13…Region 1 Pool in 2011 …Attended National ODP Camp in Las Vegas in 2012…Member of the National Honor Society and four-year Honor Roll student at Washington Township High School
 
McKee on choosing La Salle: "I chose La Salle because I feel like it's the perfect fit for me on and off the field. I plan on going into business and am excited about the school's business program, and I can't wait to be a part of the women's soccer program."
 
Coach Royal on McKee: "Jess is a proven top-flight club keeper and will make a huge mark on our program in her career at La Salle.  Her amazing shot stopping abilities along with experience in big games will allow her the needed confidence and poise to follow in the footsteps of our accomplished goalkeepers over the last two decades. It's going to be a very competitive goalkeeper unit this fall, however, we feel very strongly about Jess continuing to elevate our program in the future."
 
Marcela Robinson
Owings Mills, Md./McDonogh
Premier Soccer Club Baltimore 97
 
As a senior at McDonogh, Robinson helped the Eagles to the No. 1 national ranking in November…All-State selection in 2014… Member of Premier Soccer Club Baltimore 97 that won the Maryland State Cup from 2010-2014…Regional Champions (2010)…Regional Finalists in 2012 and '13… CASL Champions in 2013 and '14…Players Development Academy Tournament Champions (2013)
 
Robinson on choosing La Salle: "I chose La Salle because it has the family atmosphere that I wanted in my college process. Meeting the coaching staff and the girls, I couldn't help but fall in love with the friendliness and immediate connection.  I feel welcomed and at home whenever I visit and I can't help but want to be there all the time.  I cannot wait to start my four years at La Salle and I couldn't have made a better choice."
 
Coach Royal on Robinson: "We feel that we landed a very special player and person in Marcela.  Her strong leadership qualities and spirited personality will offer a lot to the continued growth of our program. Marcela is a tenacious ball winning midfielder that has the ability to be positively influencing the flow of the game. She has the confidence, presence and ability to become one of the most dominant central midfielders in the conference.  We're expecting Marcela to be a major contributor this season and envision her to become a future all-conference selection." 
 
Taylor Sergiacomi
Millville, N.J./Millville Senior
NJ Rush 97
 
Three time All-Cape Atlantic Conference selection at Millville…Named Third Team All-State as a senior…Led NJ Rush 97 club team to US Club Championship and EDP Cup Showcase Championship in 2014…Also lettered twice in Track and Field.
 
Sergiacomi on choosing La Salle: "I chose La Salle because I felt at home with the relationships the team had with each other.  They all get along so well and made me feel part of the program."
 
Coach Royal on Sergiacomi: "Taylor has shown a lot of commitment towards advancing her game for the Division I level.  Her improvement on the ball as well as her relentless work rate and conditioning levels will give her an opportunity to compete for playing time this fall.  With her quality 1v1 defending as well as her determination to win tackles and headers, she will be looked upon to add depth on the defensive side of the ball."