Women’s Soccer  

We compete at the NCAA Division III level and are a member of the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference. The conference champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament.  

Philosophy:   

The foundation of our program is built on hard work and teamwork. Players and coaches are committed to working hard each day toward individual and team goals. Our goal as a coaching staff is to recruit talented players that have a strong work ethic both in the classroom and on the soccer field.  

Training: 

Women’s soccer begins training in mid-late August and the season finishes up in November. Our off-season, non-traditional season begins in late spring and runs for 5 weeks. Our team training focuses technical and tactical development, conditioning, and mental aspects of the game and training. Players participate in the strength and conditioning program in season and out of season to improve their overall agility, balance, coordination, and strength.

 
Home Field:

Commander Ellis Field  

Conference Opponents:

Bridgewater State College

Fitchburg State College

Framingham State College

Mass College of Liberal Arts

Salem State College

Westfield State College

Worcester State College 

Expectations as a women’s soccer player: 

Being a student-athlete at the Academy is challenging. Playing soccer, taking classes, studying, working, and finding time to recreate can be tough-but with time management, it is very easy to do. Each player understands that their academics are their top priority. While in season, we expect hard work, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to excellence both in the classroom and on the playing field.  

Expectations of the coaching staff: 

The coaching staff expects 100% effort from each player. In return, our staff gives 100% effort and commitment to the team and each player. We have an open-door policy and encourage players to communicate with us as much as possible. Being a student-athlete can at times, be stressful with juggling so many responsibilities. Our staff is here to help each player through goal setting, time management, and individual meetings.  

WHY WE PLAY D-III ATHLETICS 
 

"It's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making SportsCenter.  It's a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat.  We do it all for our teammates and for the student in our calculus class that we don't even know.

We don't practice with a future major league first baseman; we practice with a future sports agent. We don't lift weights with a future Olympic wrestler; we lift with a future doctor. We don't run with a future Wimbledon champion; we run with a future CEO.  It's a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand.  Sometimes we play for 2,000 fans; sometimes 25.  But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us.  You know more than just our names.  Like all of you, we are students first.  We don't sign autographs.  But we do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and student body petitions.  When we miss a kick or strike out, we don't let down an entire state.  We only let down our teammates, coaches, and fans.

But the hurt is still the same.  We train hard, lift, throw, run, kick, tackle, shoot, dribble, and lift some more, and in the morning we go to class.  And in that class we are nothing more than students.  It's about pride in ourselves, in our school.  It's about our love and passion for the game.  And when it's over, when we walk off that court or field for the last time, our hearts crumble.  Those tears are real.  But deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves.  We will forever be what few can claim...college athletes." 

      - written by Sean Sornsin, Cornell College Baseball Player