2024 Women's Soccer Preview

SALEM, Mass. -- Salem State women's soccer was picked to finish 5th in a vote by the league's eight head coaches in the MASCAC Women's Soccer Pre-Season Poll, which was released on Tuesday, August 27. Westfield State claimed six first place votes for 48 points as the defending tournament champions were favored to repeat. 2024 regular season champion Bridgewater State (44 points) - two first place votes - took second followed by Worcester State (36 points). 

Season Outlook 

Head coach Nicolle Wood begins her 19th season at the helm after leading Salem State to a 4-12-2 record and 4th place finish in the MASCAC with a 3-4 conference mark in 2023. Salem State returns All-MASCAC First Team selection and co-captain Brenna Paquette (M, Hudson, N.H.) and second teamer Sydney Durkin (M, Dracut, Mass.), who will anchor this year's Vikings' squad. Paquette started in all 18 games for the Vikings, finishing 9th in the league in scoring (12g, 5a) in 2023 while Durkin and co-captain Savannah Scrodin (D, Bristol, Vt.), who are both three-year starters, will be relied on to provide veteran leadership to a new group that will look to push Salem State past the semifinals of the MASCAC Tournament this year. Freshman Lauren Wilson and second-year player Ava Guyer will be in the mix to replace All-MASCAC goalie Lily Pfefferle (GK, St. Paul, Minn.).    

Coach's Quote

It's been a few years since we have advanced to a MASCAC semi-finals. I think that is our goal for the season, but the team knows that along the way there is much work to be done. I hope we are competing for the MASCAC title and expect us to be more competitive in our non-conference schedule as well.

From The Captain - Savannah Scrodin

"This year our goal is to make it to the semifinals.  We also want to host the quarterfinals which will help motivate us to achieve our goal of making it to the semifinals.  There are a lot of returners on this team followed by a great incoming class of freshman.  In preseason we have connected well with each other both on and off the field.  We still have a lot of work that has to be done between now and then, but this team is ready to compete "

2024 New Players to Watch

Lauren Wilson (GK, Lynn, Mass. / St. Mary's), Samarah Paiva (M, Revere, Mass. / Revere), Krysta Zamejtis, (F, Davvers, Mass. / Danvers), Ava LeCours (D, Townshend, Vt. / Leland and Gray), Anna Frost (D, Ada, Mich. / Forest Hills Nothern), Natalie Vienneau (Groveland, Mass. / Whittier Tech)

Welcome Back

Former Viking standout Kelly Birchmore (2016) has returned to the team as an assistant coach this season, replacing long time assistant Jackie Hughes who was named Pingree girls varsity coach this fall.

"For me, having a player like Kelly come back to coach is exactly what our program is about. Kelly was one of our most competitive attackers and selfless in her commitment to this team, and has always stayed connected as an alumni and friend. She also shares our pride in this program and the experience it can offer, and that energy has been really important as we have started pre-season".

Season Opener

Salem State opens the season at home against Rhode Island College on Friday, August 30 @ 7:00pm 

2024 MASCAC Women's Soccer Pre-Season Poll

Women's Soccer