Women's Soccer to Face SNHU and SCSU to Begin 2024 Season

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – As the weather begins to feel like fall in the Northeast, the University of Bridgeport's women's soccer team will make its season debut this weekend (Sept. 6-8) in Flushing, N.Y. The Purple Knights will play a pair of neutral site contests on the campus of Queens College.

THE OPENERS
Bridgeport gears up for a pair of NE10 foes to begin things in 2024. The Purple Knights will take on SNHU on Friday afternoon before facing Southern Connecticut State on Sunday. Both games will be noon starts at Queens College.

The Purple Knights have played the Penmen and Owls back-to-back to start their season each of the last four years. Three other NE10 squads, Franklin Pierce (9/14), Saint Anselm (10/2), and Assumption, (10/16) are also on UB's schedule this fall.

RECENT SUCCESS
The Purple Knights head into 2024 with a wealth of momentum and experience. Led by head coach Tania Armellino, UB has won each of the last two CACC tournaments and earned automatic berths into the NCAA East Regional in the process.

In two seasons in the CACC now, Bridgeport has yet to lose a conference tournament game. The Purple and White are 6-0 in the CACC postseason, beating opponents by a combined margin of 19-2.

Last year, UB turned a No. 7 seed into a CACC championship run that featured dominant higher-seed wins over, Wilmington (4-0), Georgian Court (6-0), and Holy Family (3-1).

THE SCHEDULE
After three NE10 games to open the year, UB will begin conference play on Sept. 17 at Dominican. The Purple Knights went 5-5-1 in the CACC last season, including a regular-season finale loss to the Chargers (1-0).

CACC PRESEASON POLL
Coming off back-to-back titles, the Purple Knights were picked to finish second in the CACC according to the preseason coaches poll released on Aug. 27. Jefferson, which joined UB in the NCAA Tournament last season as an at-large selection, was voted atop the rankings.

The Rams finished with 114 points and six first-place votes while Bridgeport recorded 108 points and four first-place nods. UB and Jefferson will meet in Philadelphia on Sept. 28.

THE RETURNERS
Bridgeport brings back a terrific core to 2024 with a total of 20 returning players and 19 upperclassmen. UB's experience features a pair of CACC All-Conference performers from a season ago, Tatianna Lizarraga and Angelina LoFranco.

Lizarraga ranked second on UB with 12 goals last season while LoFranco tallied four goals and five assists. LoFranco has started all but one game of UB's last two championship seasons.

Senior Kristi Jazdzewski, a CACC All-Tournament selection from a season ago, is also back for the Purple Knights. She started 20 games on UB's defensive line a year ago.

THE NEWCOMERS
Coach Armellino welcomes 17 new players to the program this fall. The newest Purple Knights are composed of 11 freshmen, three sophomores, two juniors and a graduate student.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING (Quotes)

Tania Armellino - Head Coach, 3rd season

"I am truly so excited for the 2024 soccer season. We have so many impactful players returning that are leading this team with their talent, drive, and commitment."

"This year we will look to build on the ultimate success of 2023. In 2023, our team had to replace seven starters from the previous season. As growth happens, our women battled to find their stride and finally did so in the CACC conference playoffs, winning the CACC Championship for the second year in a row. We want to continue to build on that chemistry and success as we look to start 2024 the way we came together in 2023."

Frantzy Noze - Assistant Coach, 3rd season

"Our 2024 team is a well-balanced squad with great positional depth. The road to three-peat is something this group of talented women want to accomplish and beyond."

Pedro Oliveira - Assistant Coach, 1st season

"I am extremely excited and blessed to be joining the family here at the University of Bridgeport. Everyone has been very welcoming, and I'm looking forward to contributing to a championship team bringing my best every day to achieve our goals this season and supporting Coach Tania Armellino carry her vision for the women's soccer program."

Angelina LoFranco (Senior Captain):

"This season, we're determined to carry forward the mindset and momentum we built last year. Our aim is to bring that same energy into every game, with the talent of our new freshmen and transfers elevating us even further. The key challenge now is building chemistry both on and off the field, but once we find our rhythm, there's no telling how far we can go. We want to make this a season one to remember."

Kayla Leake (Senior Captain):

"I feel like this season is all about what we truly make of it and the mental aspect of the game. I think this could be a fresh start with new beginnings. As we start to build a bond and culture together, we will also be able to be in the moment and enjoy the process with each other. I think with anything, time and patience are key but if we can all come together and get on the same page then we will see great success this year. The competitiveness and drive are massive this season as we have gained some great players with great energy. With that, we can continue to build and grow to be better than we were before." 

Kristi Jazdzewski (Senior Captain):

"This year for us is all about growth on and off the field. Finding a balance between the returning players and the talents of the new additions to our team is vital. No one on this team is afraid of hard work and we all have the same hunger for success. Building off of last year while incorporating all of our new players and creating that chemistry and culture will be the key to our success and carry our team on for years to come."

FOLLOW ALONG
For all information regarding Bridgeport Athletics, log on to www.UBKnights.com and follow UB Athletics on Facebook (UBPurpleKnights), Twitter (@UBPurpleKnights) and Instagram (@UBPurpleKnights).