HOBOKEN, N.J. (August 28, 2014) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team kicks-off its 2014 season at home on August 29 and will rely on the depth of its 27-member roster to reach postseason play for the 15th consecutive season. Friday evening's match at 5 p.m. will be the first contest played on the newly installed turf at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.

On the 18-match slate for Stevens (10-9 in 2013) this fall, eight opponents competed in national tournaments a year ago with seven in the NCAA Division III Championship field (Houghton College played in NCCAA tournament) and four of those reaching the Round of 16. In addition, 12 of the 18 Duck counterparts participated in the school's respective conference tournaments.

In the National Soccer Coaches Association of American Top 25 Preseason Poll, four institutions that the Ducks will run into this season rank within the top ten. Ithaca College is fifth, Montclair State University ranks eighth, Messiah College is ninth and The College of New Jersey holds the tenth slot.

Head Coach Jeff Parker, now in his 15th season at Stevens, is on the verge of eclipsing 200 career victories on Castle Point and has assembled a squad this year made up of five seniors, five juniors, seven sophomores and 10 freshmen.

"We are still coming together as a team, but we have had a very competitive preseason," stated Parker. "We have a deeper base than previous years and with several student athletes returning from injuries as well as a very solid freshmen group. Our upperclassmen have really shown the way in terms of demonstrating outstanding leadership since last fall which has attributed to our good start."

Senior captain Ann Heine (Sammamish, Wash.) and sophomore Raba Nassif (Northvale, N.J.) return to the pitch this season after all-conference campaigns in 2013. Heine was a second-team honoree, while Nassif claimed Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the Year honors – the fourth consecutive Duck to receive that award.

Breakdown by positions:

Forwards

Heine and Nassif will lead the way offensive for the Ducks after a combined eight goals and six assists in 2013. With three markers this year, Heine will move into the top seven all-time at Stevens in goals scored.

Senior Georgia Johnson (Freehold, N.J.) and sophomore Sydney Jacobson (Huntington, W. Va.) will also see time at top of the formation this season.

Midfielders

The midfield for Stevens is arguably the deepest group on this year's team with 16 players listed on the roster at that position.

Senior Mariah Cleveland (Los Gatos, Calif.) is a versatile player for the Ducks and can switch between the midfield and forward positions. Cleveland ranked third on the team last season in goals with five and fourth in points with 13.  Senior captain Stephanie Basile (Macungie, Pa.) also returns after a 2013 in which she tallied two goals in 15 starts.
 
Junior captain Carly Bean (Williamson, N.Y.) is back for the Ducks after missing all of 2013 with an injury. Bean was the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year in 2012 and tallied six goals with three assists. Sophomore Gabby Mathelier (Pomona, N.Y.) played in 17 contests last fall and registered six goals with three helpers for 15 points (all ranked second) – all but three of Mathelier's points were scored within the first seven matches.

Backs

The back line for the Ducks boasts a wealth of experience with 47 combined games started from a year ago from three players.

Sophomore Kristen Goncalves (Dix Hills, N.Y.) started in all 19 caps last fall and assisted on a goal, Fellow sophomore Allison Kopacz (Green Brook, N.J.) made 13 starts with a goal and two assists.  Senior Bella Romano (Harrington Park, N.J.) also returns after a 2013 campaign cut short from injury a year ago.

Goalkeepers

Junior Evelyn Ting (Gaithersburg, Md.) made 100 saves in 2013 in nearly 1,400 minutes of playing time for the Ducks. Ting finished the year with a 7-9 record and allowed a 2.07 goals-against average with a pair of shutouts.

Schedule (click here for full schedule release)

The home opener for Stevens will be an immediate test as five-time National Champions (all five since 2005) and No. 9 Messiah battle the Ducks at 5 p.m. Brooklyn College steps on campus two days (August 31) later for a 1 p.m. kick off.

On September 6 and 7, Stevens will host the 11th Annual Engineering Cup. The Ducks have won seven of the previous ten Cups and tied with Vassar College last fall. Stevens and Vassar play the first match of the weekend at 10 a.m. on the 6th and then the Red and Gray will tangle with Hudson River rival New York University on the 7th at 3 p.m. SUNY Cortland is the fourth team competing in this year's Cup.

Stevens' opening home stand concludes with eighth-ranked Montclair State at 7 p.m. on September 12.

After a five-day layoff, Stevens will play its first road contest at Farmingdale State College at 4 p.m. on the 17th.

Empire 8 play begins on the 20th against Utica College in Hoboken at 3 p.m. Another road trip is in store for the Ducks over the next week as they head to Drew University 24th and then travel to Elmira College (Empire 8) at the 27th.

The Ducks entertain Eastern University on the 30th before a four-match conference stretch from October 4 to 18. Defending conference champions and No. 5 Ithaca visits Hoboken for a 2 p.m. showdown on the 4th and then Stevens travels to Western New York for a pair of road tests at Houghton College (11th) and Alfred University (12th).

Alumnae Day is slated for October 18 against Nazareth College and Senior Day will take place on the 25th against St. John Fisher College. Both contests are scheduled for 2 p.m. Between the two Empire 8 tilts, the Ducks take on 10th-ranked TCNJ in Ewing, N.J. on the 22nd at 7:30 p.m.

The regular season wraps up with a home game against Western Connecticut State University on the 29th at 7 p.m. and then Stevens' finale takes place at Hartwick College at 12 p.m. on November 1.
The Empire 8 tournament will be played on November 7 and 8.

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