BOSTON – The fall 2021 season is underway! Women’s soccer was the first sport in action as eight teams started their non-conference slates last Thursday and seven teams earned wins over the course of the weekend. Overall, #AEWSOC women's soccer teams combined to go 8-4 to start the season.
Hartford got off to a perfect 2-0 start with wins over Delaware State and St. Francis Brooklyn in its first action since the fall of 2019. Maine, UMBC, UMass Lowell, New Hampshire and Vermont each won their openers, while Binghamton went 1-1.
Nineteen more non-conference games take place this weekend.
The preseason poll was announced on August 9.
Fans will once again be able to watch the majority of #AEWSOC this season. Select games will air on The AE on ESPN while others will air on AmericaEast.TV. Those games will be available on computers, OTT devices and the brand new America East app, which is available on all IOS and Android devices and can be found by searching ‘America East Conference’ in app stores.
Follow the @AEDigitalNet Twitter account to stay up-to-date on America East women’s soccer news all season long and use #AEWSOC to join the conversation.
#AEWSOC Weekly Award Winners – Aug. 23
Offensive Player of the Week
Juliana Rafaniello, UMBC – Jr., Forward, Old Bridge, N.J.
- Had a five-point game (2G, A) in UMBC’s season-opening win over Robert Morris.
- Rafaniello scored or helped on all three Retriever tallies, which included her first career goal.
Defensive Player of the Week
Cat Sheppard, New Hampshire – Sr., Goalkeeper, Nesconset, N.Y.
- Recorded a shutout with four saves in UNH’s season-opening win over Merrimack.
- Sheppard has earned her fourth career Defensive Player of the Week honor.
Rookie of the Week
Meghan Guarente, New Hampshire – Fr., Midfielder, Sewell, N.J.
- Tallied a goal and an assist in her collegiate debut.
- Guarente started and opened the scoring in the Wildcat’s 3-0 win.
2021 #AEWSOC Weekly Award Winners
Aug. 23 – Offensive Player of the Week: Juliana Rafaniello, UMBC; Defensive Player of the Week: Cat Sheppard, New Hampshire; Rookie of the Week: Meghan Guarente, New Hampshire
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