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WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley women’s soccer team begins its quest to return to the NCAA Tournament on Thursday when they open the new season at Molloy University at 1:00 pm.
The Falcons will stay in New York and take on Wilmington University on Saturday on Molloy’s campus for their opening weekend slate. When they take the field, seniors Holly DiPalo and Megan Daly will wear the captain’s armband.
Bentley reached the NCAA Tournament last season for the second time with an 8-4-7 overall record and a 4-2-4 mark in the Northeast 10. The team was unbeaten at home with a 6-0-4 record.
A standout defense was the backbone as they allowed just 13 goals in 19 games (0.68 average) and posted 11 shutouts.
The top three goal scorers from last season all return in Abi Hennessey, Heidi Lawrence and Sydney DeRoche. Hennessey and Lawrence, who were both named to the NE10 All-Rookie team, shared the team lead with four goals and DeRoche added three goals as a freshman.
Sophomores Cami Ayandele and McKay Pratt will look to make an impact as well up front and add to the attack’s overall speed.
The midfield and backline will have a number of new players contributing, with the likes of Rose Frisoli, Addison Hubert and Avery D’Amour stepping in. Maddy LePage started 18 games as a freshman and clocked nearly 1500 minutes.
In goal, it’s been an open competition in preseason to replace Claire Ewen, who graduated as the program’s all-time leader in goals against average. Holly DiPalo returns as the most experienced keeper.
The schedule sees the Falcons open at home on Sept. 11 against Assumption in a non-conference game and two days later they host Queens for another non-conference encounter.
The first NE10 matchup of the season is on Sept. 20 against Saint Michael’s and the first home NE10 game is on Sept. 23 against Franklin Pierce.
The team returns to Yetten Field to play under the lights on Saturday, Oct. 11 against D’Youville for its Think Pink game. Senior Day is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18 against Southern Connecticut State and the regular season concludes on November 5 at home against American International.