The women’s soccer team’s 2011 season nearly ended after it was upset in the semifinals of the Empire 8 Conference Tournament over the weekend, but the Bombers clinched an at-large bid to the NCAA playoffs.
Junior Rachael Palladino’s passion for soccer has been challenged throughout her two and a half seasons as a forward on the women’s soccer team. But she has responded to each obstacle with diligence and humility to become one of the program’s most prolific players.
The women’s soccer team has been clicking on all cylinders this season, maintaining its spot atop the Empire 8 Conference. But the sophomores have been the anchors of this year’s squad, stepping up in key moments and improving on their plays from last season.
In the past four seasons, the women’s soccer team has averaged 59 goals per season and is already outscoring opponents 20-5 through five games this season. But the Blue and Gold’s defensive play often flies under the radar in their blowout wins.
With six players graduated and early injuries to upperclassmen, the scoring for the women’s soccer team falls on the shoulders of a younger group of players this season.
After being ranked eighth in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America preseason poll and starting the season 5–1, the women’s soccer team bowed out of its eighth straight NCAA tournament appearance with a 3–0 loss to The College of New Jersey on Sunday.
Despite injuries to several starters this season, the women’s soccer team’s defense is leading a squad that has allowed the fewest number of goals in the league.
The women’s soccer team has had no trouble finding the back of the net this season. Last year, the Blue and Gold managed to score 34 goals through its first seven games. This season, the Bomber’s scoring hasn’t been quite as high, but the team still leads the Empire 8 conference in goals scored with…
Sophomore forward Rachael Palladino has been a key player since her first game for the women’s soccer team as a freshman. Now in her second year, Palladino brings experience and composure to the field as the team’s top returning goal scorer.
Graduate student and forward/midfielder Liz Masucci returns to the field for the women’s soccer team this season, providing key leadership for the squad. After transferring from Division I University of New Hampshire in Fall 2007, Masucci, then a track and field athlete, made the transition to playing varsity soccer.
