LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University women's soccer team is set to open the 2018 season on Saturday, September 1. The Bald Eagles will head west on I-80 to take on conference rival Clarion University at 5 p.m.
 
2018 News, Notes & Storylines:
 
Setting the stage:
On Saturday (Sept. 1), the Bald Eagles will open the 2018 season at Clarion University. The 5 p.m. match will also open Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play for The Haven.
 
All 16 games on the 2018 schedule are PSAC contests for LHU and seven of them will come at home including two of the first three matches of the season.
 
A quick look back:
Last season, LHU went 6-11 overall and the Bald Eagles finished their run through PSAC play at 5-11 with conference wins over Edinboro, Pitt-Johnstown, Shippensburg, Mansfield and California.
 
All-PSAC pick returns:
After last season, Jordan Shoff earned All-PSAC honors. Shoff, the Bald Eagles leader in every aspect, earned a spot on the Second Team as a defender. She truly did it all for The Haven on the field in 2017 and provided a spark all over the field. The tenacious defender also scored three goals. Two of those three goals were game-winners. Shoff started all 17 games and logged nearly 1,500 minutes on the pitch.
 
Goal scorers return:
Lock Haven returns its top three goal scorers from last year in Haleigh Swam (6 goals), Gabby Kishbaugh (3 goals) and returning All-Conference player Jordan Shoff (3 goals). Swam, a junior, has netted 11 career goals and Kishbaugh has scored seven career goals. The dynamic-and-versatile Shoff can play any position on the field. Over three previous seasons, Shoff has netted nine career goals.
 
The Bald Eagles shouldn't have an issue filling the net and scoring, as they will also benefit from the return of Marah Foltz, who saw limited time on the field during the 2017 campaign. Back in 2016, as a true-freshman, she scored six goals to go along with four assists.
 
Newcomers:
Third-year head coach Kathy Brown and second-year graduate assistant coach Matthew McCormick have added seven talented freshmen, all of whom will look to make an impact on a talented and veteran lineup. All seven freshmen are from Pennsylvania.
 
Josie Swartz (Mifflintown, Pa./Juniata), MF
Chloe Canonica (Newtown Squre, Pa./Marple Newton), MF/D
Lacey Snyder (Herndon, Pa./Line Mountain), MF
Mickey Heinbaugh (Mercersburg, Pa./James Buchanan), F
Anna Manley (Catawissa, Pa./Southern Columbia), F
Taylor Moritz (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton) MF/D
Deanna Baker (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley High School), D
 
Breaking down the roster:
Freshmen: 7
Sophomores: 7
Juniors: 5
Seniors: 10
 
The majority of the roster is from Pennsylvania, but three players are from New Jersey and one is form Maryland.
 
Senior class:
Lock Haven will rely on the 10-member senior class for leadership all season. That experience will be vital to the team's overall success.
 
The senior class is made up of: Bree Hilty, Janelle Swartz, Gabby Kishbaugh, Emily Vitale, Haley Predix, Makayla Dickey, Ella Jones, Jordan Shoff, Carly Spinuzza and Kara Waskiewicz.
 
Strong in net:
Bree Hilty has recorded 167 saves in her career, which puts her in fifth place all-time in LHU history and puts her just 16 saves away from reaching fourth all time. 
 
Up next:
Following Saturday evening's match at Clarion, Lock Haven will return to the pitch on Wednesday, September 5 at 4 p.m. when the Bald Eagles host conference power Kutztown.