2024 Season Preview: Women's Soccer

 

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - As the 2024 season approaches, the Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) women's soccer team will be looking to climb back up the ranks, as they come off a 2023 season that saw the team finish at the bottom half of the NJCAA Region III standings.

 

At the helm is David Campbell, who will be entering his 5th season as head coach of the program. "What we are looking to improve upon from last year is putting the team in a position to be competitive with an edge to win games", says Campbell when asked about his expectations/goals for the upcoming season. Alongside Campbell is Matthias Finke, who will serve as assistant head coach in his first year with the program.

 

With the help of several key returners, the Lakers are set up for an exciting season. Headlining this group is starting defender Ava Recktenwald (Lima, N.Y./Honeoye Falls-Lima), who will make her return to the lineup after a stout freshman season in 2023. Along with facilitating the defense, Recktenwald brings a high level of experience to the squad, as she started in 11 games for the Lakers last season. Furthermore, Recktenwald will play as a mentor for the freshmen who are joining the team in the fall.

 

Starting forward Laura Lopez (Bogota, Colombia/Colombia Co.), who started in 7 out of the 8 games she played last season, will also be making her return to the lineup. When asked about the role she sees herself in for the upcoming season, Lopez said "I see myself as a communicative and technical player, ready to help those who need it. My goal is to use my skills and experience to support my teammates and contribute to our overall success." Lopez, along with the other second-year players, will serve as a helping hand to the incoming freshmen by lending their experience when needed.

 

During the offseason, the Lakers made it a priority to recruit top-end talent – and they did just that – as more than a dozen new faces have joined the program. "We have a couple of freshmen on defense coming in that are quick and strong on the ball. We have some on offense with a great ability to apply pressure on defenses quickly", coach Campbell says, speaking highly of the incoming class and putting faith in the new faces. Campbell also puts a strong emphasis on teamwork, and focuses specifically on the importance of chemistry, speaking on the culture that has been built. "Sophomores will pass along a culture of working together and respecting one another. We are to play as a team and grow together to improve upon each major pillar in soccer", he explains.

 

As players, coaches, and fans gear up for the new season, excitement is soaring. With a combination of new and seasoned talent, the team is anticipated to make waves. In their first game of the new season, the Lakers will face off against Herkimer College in Herkimer, N.Y., on Wednesday, August 28th at 5:00 PM.

 

The Lakers will play this season in honor of William J. "Bill" McKee, who passed away earlier this year. McKee served as head coach of the men's soccer team for a short while, and will forever be remembered by his community – a community that he was incredibly active in. Thank you for all your contributions, Bill. Always A Laker.