FLUSHING, N.Y. – The third year of the Thomas Paris era gets underway Friday afternoon as the Queens College women's soccer team opens the 2024 regular season with a two-game homestand.
 
Entering his third year in charge of the women's soccer program, Paris and the Knights are coming off a 2023 season record of 6-7-4, 3-3-2 in ECC play which saw the Knights improve upon their 2-10-3 season in Paris's first-year in charge in 2022.
 
In his second year, the Knights would book their first ECC postseason spot as they earned the fifth seed, marking their first appearance in postseason play since the 2013 season. The six wins would be the most in a season since the 2019 season when Queens went 7-9-1, while the conference record percentage of .500 would be the best since the 2013 season when the Knights finished 6-3 for a third-place finish.
 
In 2023 Paris and his coaching staff would lead juniors Julia Ragone, Sarah Anderson, and freshman Anna Tavantzis in earning All-ECC honors as Ragone and Anderson were named to the Second Team, while rookie Tavantzis was named to the Third Team. It would be the first time in three seasons that three Knights earned All-ECC honors.

Queens College Knights Preview (2023 Record 6-7-4, 3-3-2 ECC)

• In 2023 the Knights recorded 15 goals with an average of 0.88 while recording seven shutouts on the year.
• The Knights are looking to open the season on a winning note for the first time since the 2013 season when they defeated Pace University 1-0 on Friday, Sept. 6.
• In the 2024 ECC Preseason Coaches Poll the Knights have been tabbed to finish fifth. (Link)
• The 2024 roster consists of 14 returners, while Paris and his coaching staff have added 13 newcomers to the roster.
  • The Knights will count on All-ECC honoree Ragone to lead from the front as the Centereach native led the way with a team-high 17 points with seven goals and three assists to go with four game-winning goals.
  • The duo of Anderson and Tavantzis will lead from the midfield and backline as Queens looks to keep the team shape for more scoring opportunities.
  • Four transfers in Erica Petrie from Division 1 Fairleigh Dickinson University, Ashley Kieblesz from College of Saint Rose who earned NE10 Third Team honors and was named to the NE10 All-Rookie Team, while All-ECC honorees in  Gabrielle Ciambella from Roberts Wesleyan University and Adriana Melgar from College of Staten Island bring experience and add depth to the new squad.

Opponent Outlook

The Knights will host the Queens College Conference Challenge as they welcome five East regional opponents to Flushing beginning on Friday. Paris and the Knights are slated to host CACC member University of Bridgeport Purple Knights, NE10 members Southern Connecticut State University Owls, Franklin Pierce University Ravens, and future opponents in Southern New Hampshire University Penmen and East Coast Conference member Mercy University Mavericks.
 
It will be familiar foes from the 2023 season to begin the year as Queens matches up against the Owls on Friday, Sept. 6 before concluding the challenge against the Ravens on Sunday, Sept. 8.
 
In last year's Challenge at Franklin Pierce, the Knights went 0-1-1 as they earned a hard fought scoreless draw against the Owls, while the Ravens defeated Queens to the final score of 0-3. The Knights are looking for their first-ever win against both programs.

Southern Connecticut State University Owls Preview

• Overall Wins-Losses-Ties: 0-7-1
• Last Win: -
• Last Loss: 0-2 (10/2/19)
• Last Tie: 0-0 (9/1/23)
• In 2023 the Owls concluded the season with an overall record of 5-7-5 with a trip to the NE10 Quarterfinals.

Franklin Pierce University Ravens Preview

• Overall Wins-Losses-Ties: 0-3-1
• Last Win: -
• Last Loss: 0-3 (9/3/23)
• Last Tie: 0-0 (10/7/12)
• In 2023 the Ravens concluded the season with an overall record of 7-5-6 with a trip to the NE10 Semi-finals game.

Week Two Outlook: The Knights wrap up the three-game homestand on Wednesday, Sept. 11 as they welcome the Cougars of Caldwell University to town before concluding the week in Waterbury, CT on Saturday, Sept. 14 against the Eagles of Post University.

For the latest news on Queens College Athletics, follow the Knights at queensknights.com or via social media on Facebook (Queens College Athletics), X (Formerly Twitter) (@QCKnights),  Instagram (qcknightsny), women's soccer (qcwsoccer)