Worcester, MA- Head Coach Kevin Cumberbatch, entering his 17^th season at the helm of the Worcester Women’s Soccer team has announced the release of the 2024 schedule, where the squad will look to return to the MASCAC post season and grab their fifth NCAA post season appearance under Cumberbatch. The Lancers squad concluded the 2023 season at 6-9-2, 5-2 in the MASCAC, dropping a tight battle to Westfield Stat in the MASCAC semifinals. The team returns the bulk of their talent from last year, while adding in a breadth of talent in their incoming class to complement the skills continually on display. The team returns MASCAC First Team midfielder Erin Condon as she aims to continue her dominance on the pitch success with another standout junior season for the Lancers. Ready to push the team to success alongside Condon is seniors Abby Bond, a dominant midfielder, and Jessica Forbes, who with an impenetrable presence on defense, and Raelyn Callahan, a starting forward with 13 career goals over two seasons with the Lancers.  

“This team has made outstanding progress from our first game last September to now”, says Condon. “I have no doubt that we are ready to tackle some of the challenging competitors we have lined up this season both in and out of conference. The grit and determination this team has to go in for hard tackles, score goals, and win games is what I think will lead us to success this season."

Bond reiterated the team’s chemistry stating, “I think I speak for everyone when I say I’m really excited for next season. One of the team’s qualities is that we all are there for each other as friends, not just teammates. This chemistry off the field is something we’re ready to show on the field alongside all of the hard work we put into the off season as well.”

The Women’s Soccer team will be opening their 2024 slate of games with much of the start of the season on the road with their first three games all taking Worcester away from Coughlin Field. The Blue and Gold will open the action on September 4^th when they travel to Wheaton, before a September 7^th bout with Suffolk and 10^th meeting with Eastern Connecticut. Worcester will host their home opener on September 14^th when the take on the WPI Engineers take on a Worcester City Battle rematch from last season, that saw WPI just scrape by with the victory. Worcester will quickly return to the road with a trip to Keene State on September 18^th before the MASCAC opener at Bridgewater State on the 21^st. The Lancers will play just their second home, again versus an inner-city rival in Clark on September 25^th before wrapping up September on the road at Westfield State.

October will welcome in the home matches for Worcester as they kick off their home slate versus Western Connecticut on October 1^st, followed by Fitchburg State on the 5^th, Roger Williams on the 9^th and MCLA on the 12^th. The Lancers will again hit the road on October 18^th as the journey the 30 minutes to Framingham State before closing out the season with two at home and one away. The first is October 26^th versus Salem State before wrapping up their home schedule versus UMass-Dartmouth on the 29^th, a game tentatively scheduled as the team’s senior game to honor the contributions of their senior class. Their lone regular season November battle will see Worcester journey to Bourne to close out the regular and conference season versus Mass Maritime.

“Even though we had an extremely young team last year, it became evident there is so much talent, depth, and versatility that lies amongst the upper and underclassmen that will prove to be very powerful in the upcoming season,” said Forbes. “In review, both individual and team goals have been identified and everyone is committed to working extremely hard in effort to achieve them. Collectively we continue to build upon our great team chemistry to enhance the synergy that will propel us to the MASCAC title."

Live stats and videos for all games can be found on the Worcester State Women’s Soccer Schedule.