LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates women's soccer team commences the 2023 campaign with an immediate sense of urgency as the Bobcats travel to rival Bowdoin College Tuesday afternoon (5:00 p.m.) in a season-opening NESCAC tilt vs. the Polar Bears.
Fifth-year head coach Joe Vari and his squad will open a season vs. a NESCAC foe for the first time since 2013, when the Bobcats beat Tufts 2-1.
"It's going to be very interesting as we literally jump right into the fire (of NESCAC play)," Vari said. "You'd like to get at least one game under your belt to iron out the wrinkles; we're going to have to be pretty well-pressed and ready to go for this game."
Collecting four stalemates a year ago in the first season since the elimination of overtime in NCAA soccer, the Bobcats look to turn those ties into victories this fall. In order to do so, the garnet and white anticipates an uptick of offense after netting only 16 goals over 15 contests in 2022. Five of those tallies were recorded by the recently-graduated Elizabeth Patrick '23.
"I think we are going to be able to generate a little bit more offense than we have the last couple of years," Vari said. Senior forward Izzy Lussier (West Suffield, Conn.) is returning and has been able to score some goals during her career. Junior Abby Alter (F-Washington, D.C.) has been on a really great progression. We're also happy with some incoming first-years on the attack. We're going to be the type of team that gets it done by committee on the offensive end."
"During preseason, we have made it a priority to be smart on the attack and to get numbers into danger areas where we can score goals; the level of intensity has been great."
On the defensive side of the pitch, expect senior captains Charlotte Jones (M-San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) and Haley Fenlon (D-West Boylston, Mass.) to anchor a backline that yielded only 1.40 goals-per-game last year.
Fellow seniors Rachel Lowell (M-Portland, Ore.) and Maeve Parmelee (M-Pelham, N.Y.) will also serve as captains for the Bobcats.
There will be plenty of options in net for Bates as Coach Vari has three goalkeepers on his roster. Returning netminders, Samantha Bunar (So.-Lynnfield, Mass.) and Ruby Reimann (Jr.-Oak Bluffs, Mass.), along with newcomer Sydney Litney (Fy.-Schaumburg, Ill.), will each receive ample opportunity for playing time.
"We have a great goalkeeping core," Vari said. "It's going to be a hard decision to find a number one. I wouldn't be surprised if we rotate at that position as all three are very equal. We're in a very good spot at the goalkeeping position."
There will be a new presence on the sideline for Bates as Devin Bagby joins the staff as Vari's top assistant. Bagby comes north from his alma mater, Randolph College (Lynchburg, Va.), where he was an assistant coach (2022-23) to the Wildcats' women's soccer program. He replaces AJ Stueck, who was named women's soccer head coach at nearby University of New England this past May.
"Devin is doing a really great job," Vari said. "We've been very happy with him. Morgan (Johnson) also returns to assist. I am very happy with our staff and the feedback from the student-athletes has been positive."
"Overall, I am very excited with the group that we have. They are really enjoying their time together. I'm really happy with the energy and the work they've put in, we're excited to start the season!"
