McHenry, MD – A year ago, the Garrett College women’s soccer team had no home field, no experienced players, no bench to speak of, and no idea what they would be facing in NJCAA Region 20 competition.
What a difference a year makes.
Second-year head coach Brandon Jackson had built a 2024 squad that features nine sophomores and 14 freshmen, providing plenty of depth and experience. The Lady Lakers will also get to play a full home season on their turf field, which was only available for their final three home games last year upon field completion.
“The biggest difference this year is having my first-ever returning class coming back,” said Jackson. “It’s also nice to know that the returners have all experienced the first-year challenges and can take on a leadership role in helping our freshman class.”
The Lady Lakers have two returning all-NJCAA Region 20 players, including second-team defender Cheyenne Zack (Niles, Ohio) and honorable-mention midfielder Sydney Weeks (Oakland). The remaining returners are goalkeepers Sara Tabuena (Sitges, Spain) and Johnna Collins (Deer Park), midfielder Allison Harrold (Rockwood, PA), and forwards Cara Stout (Morgantown, WV), Natalie Warne (Oakland), and Courtney Milner (Huddersfield, England).
The ninth sophomore – Nevaeh Hambosky (Connellsville, PA) – played her freshman season at Potomac State College of West Virginia University in 2022.
“I expect Nevaeh to be a goal-scoring threat for us,” said Jackson, noting Hambosky scored 14 goals during the season with the Catamounts.
Jackson’s 14 freshmen include four international players. Combined with Milner and Tabuena, that gives GC six international players on its 2024 squad.
“There’s a lot of competition when it comes to international players,” said Jackson. “I worked to sell them on our vision and told them I’m a holistic coach. I care about them as players, as students, and making sure they also enjoy their experience.”
The best of the bunch among the international students may be Austrian Victoria Kovazh, whom Jackson described as “a phenomenal left winger with a lot of speed.”
Defenders Ruby Molloy (Manchester, England) and Sofia Mesrobian (Mississauga, Canada), and midfielder Chloe Mccaul (Cork County, Ireland) round out the international contingent.
The Lady Lakers have also added goalkeeper Kayla Moore (North Marion, WV).
“Kayla comes from a very small school, but she’s 5-9 and super-athletic,” said Jackson. “I think she’ll be a tremendous goalkeeper.”
Other newcomers include midfielders Katelyn Leaman (Millersville, PA), Madison Jones (Kansas City, Kansas), Skye Leasure (Williamsport), Jacquelyn Jeffreys (Uniontown, PA), and Laci Slick (Inwood, WV); forward Danielle Brobst (Oakland), defenders Izzy Shafer (Preston, WV) and Alissa Breeding (Mount Savage), and central defender Jorjalyn Ward (Philippi, WV).
The Lady Lakers travel to CCBC-Essex on September 3rd to open their season with a 3 p.m. game against the region’s reigning champion. Essex nipped the Lady Lakers, 1-0, in the region quarterfinals last year.
GC plays at region rival Allegany College of Maryland on September 5th in a 4 p.m. contest.
GC opens its home season September 12th with a 3 p.m. match against Anne Arundel Community College.
Jackson heads into Season 2 confident the Lady Lakers are ready to make a statement.
“I would not be shocked if we finish in the top four in the region this year,” said Jackson. “We’d like to make a nice splash and let the region know that Garrett College women’s soccer is here to stay.”
