Potent Offense Figures To Power 2019 UB Women's Soccer Squad In Defense Of National Crown

Bridgeport, Conn.-December 1, 2018 is a day that will live forever in the annals of University of Bridgeport athletics history, as the underdog Purple Knights defeated the heavily-favored Lakers of Grand Valley State University, 1-0, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to win last year's NCAA Division II Women's Soccer National Championship.

That day is history now, and it's 2019, so what will this year's talented UB women's side do for an encore after capturing the school's first-ever NCAA team national title?

13 student-athletes who saw action in at least one match last year return to this year's squad under the direction of head coach Magnus Nilerud, who enters season number 21 on his alma mater's sidelines after notching career win number 275 to reach the pinnacle of Division Two Women's Soccer in last season's finale.

Returning for her final campaign in a Bridgeport kit is decorated forward Maegen Doyle (Harwich, England).  Last season, Doyle set the University of Bridgeport single season school record for goals with 28 and points with 59.  Those 28 goals placed her number two in the country in total goals scored, and she finished the season tied for number one in the nation in game-winning goals with 13.  From September 15 through November 29, Doyle scored at least one goal in a total of 18 consecutive matches in which she played. Maegen was also named the 2018 United Soccer Coaches (USC) NCAA DII National Player of the Year, the 2018 East Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year, plus she was recognized with first-team All-America honors by USC and the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA); in addition to being named D2CAA East Region Player of the Year and the DII NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Offensive Player.

Even with all those impressive statistics posted by Doyle last season, she is not alone in powering the Bridgeport offensive machine, as the next three scorers on the Purple Knights stat sheet from 2018 are back in the Park City.

Senior Nara DaCosta (Pacas, Brazil), who netted the game-winning goal in last season's National Championship match, returns after finishing second on the team in scoring with 26 points on 11 goals and four assists.

Also back are the 2018 ECC Rookie of the Year Anisha Hill (So., Working, England), who finished with eight goals and two assists for 18 points, plus junior Andrea Basilicato (Guilford, Conn.), last year's fourth leading scorer with 16 points on six goals and two assists.

In the Purple Knights' midfield, Marieke Kramer (Grad., Megchelen, Netherlands) and junior Rebekka Skaasheim (Borlange, Norway) will help link the Bridgeport defense to its explosive offense. Kramer netted a goal and had three assists for five points in 2018, and Skaasheim chipped a goal and two helpers for the national champs.

Anchoring the UB backline will be 2019 East Coast Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, sophomore Annie Bjork (Malmo, Sweden). Annie played in 25 of Bridgeport's matches last season being a key part of a defnsive unit that allowed only a total of 24 goals against in 25 matches played (0.95 goals against average).

Also look for for returners juniors Abigail Befford (E. Brookfield, Mass.) and Shyla Murray (Brentwood, N.Y.) along with senior Valentina Florez (Mt. Kisco, N.Y.) to help the Purple Knights succeed in 2019.

Entering this season, head coach Nilerud must find a new goalkeeper to replace workhorse Jennifer Wendelius, who played every minute in net last season posting a 20-4-1 record with 12 clean sheets including a pair of shutouts in the national semifinals and finals.  Look for freshmen Claudia Torres (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Taft School) and Helena Dahlstrom (Stockholm, Sweden) to backstop the UB defense this season.

Another pair of newcomers to watch on the pitch for the Purple Knights figure to be Roosa Ariyo (Espoo, Finland) on offense and Rylee Traicoff (Whitby, Ontario, Canada) on defense.

As is the norm, the Bridgeport women's soccer team will face a demanding 18-match schedule this season, including 11 contests away from the friendly confines of Knights Field where UB went a perfect 11-0-0 last season.  Over the last five campaigns, the Purple Knights have amassed one of the top home records in the country going an impressive 48-3-0.

Bridgeport will open the 2019 season with four straight games away from home including the season opener on September 6 in Manchester, New Hampshire versus Southern Connecticut State followed by a tussle against the always tough Southern New Hamphire team on the Penmen's home field.

After opening the season in the Granite State, the Purple Knights will travel to the land of 10,000 lakes and the State of Minnesota to face Minnesota Duluth on September 12 and St. Cloud State on September 14.

UB's home opener on Wednesday, September 18 at 6:00 p.m. versus Wilmington (Del) University will be a memorable one, as the 2018 National Championship banner will be unveiled at Knights Field.  This year's schedule includes seven matches at home.

The Purple Knights will open defense of their third East Coast Conference title in the past four season at St. Thomas Aquinas College on September 21.

For a complete look at the 2019 University of Bridgeport women's soccer schedule, click here.