FLUSHING, N.Y. – The 2025 Queens College women's soccer season officially kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 4, as the Knights open at home for the second consecutive year.
 
Fourth-year head coach Thomas Paris and the Knights are coming off a strong 2024 campaign, finishing with an overall record of 10-7-1 and a 4-3 mark in East Coast Conference (ECC) play, earning a third-place finish in the league standings. Queens posted a 6-4-1 record at home and a 4-3 mark on the road. The Knights reached the ECC postseason tournament for the second straight year, where they made history by securing the program's first-ever postseason victory and their first ECC semifinal appearance since 2013.
ECC Preseason Coaches Poll
In the ECC Coaches poll, Paris and the Knights have been tabbed to finish third and earned one first-place vote for a total of 47 points. Full Story
 
Looking to build on the momentum created last season, Paris and his coaching staff have retooled the 2025 roster in preparation for another competitive season. The squad features 33 student-athletes, including 16 returners and 17 newcomers. The roster includes 15 freshmen, 8 sophomores, 8 juniors, and 2 seniors, offering a balanced mix of experience and new talent.

2025 Roster Outlook

Sophomore goalie Samantha Hines-Hirsch (Plainview, N.Y.) will look to build off an All-ECC Second Team rookie year which she started all 18 matches, recorded 77 saves, five shutouts, and helped lead the team to 10 wins.
 
While senior midfielder Adriana Melgar (Queens, N.Y.) also returns after starting 17 of 18 matches last season and earning All-ECC Third Team honors. She tallied two goals and three assists for a total of seven points.
 
The junior trio of forward Jenna Rosenberger (Smithtown, N.Y), midfielder Anna Tavantzis (Holbrook, N.Y.), and midfielder Ashley Kieblesz (Middle Village, N.Y.) adds veteran leadership in the attacking third, having combined for nine goals, eight assists, and four game-winning goals in 2024.
 
On the defensive end, juniors Ava Angiuli (Wantagh, N.Y.) and Lluvy Lewis (Valley Stream, N.Y.) will anchor the backline after combining for over 2,600 minutes as they helped the Knights post five shutouts and 10 wins en route to earning the number three seed.
 
New additions to the program include transfer forward Carly Koprowski (Wantagh, N.Y.) and redshirt-sophomore defender Ava Lekanides (Garden City, N.Y.), both of whom bring collegiate experience and are expected to make an immediate impact on the field.
 
Sophomores midfielder/defender Keeley Harden (Orlando, Fla.), midfielder Morgan Khadra (Grand Island, N.Y.), forward Scarlet Adams (Auburn, Ala.), forward Abigail Jalocha (Maspeth, N.Y.), juniors Alyssa Illiano (Valley Stream, N.Y.), senior Brianna Obregon (Deer Park, N.Y.) and two Knights return from injury defender Cassidy Pong (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) and redshirt-sophomore Laila Morales (Long Island City, N.Y.) bring valuable experience and versatility to the team's depth.
 
The 13 newcomers in midfielder/forward Avery Shreffler (Westlake, OH), forward Grace Kinney (Sammamish, WA.), forward Rebecca Pino (Bellport, N.Y.), midfielder Ana Impellizzeri (Medford, N.Y.), midfielder Karen Merlos (Farmingville, N.Y.), midfielder Genesis Quito-Rodas (East Elmhurst, N.Y.), defender Kylie Dowler (Long Beach, N.Y.), midfielder/defender Jordyn Cruz (Holbrook, N.Y.), Jenna Cruz (Holbrook, N.Y.), midfielder Daniela Peros (Bayside, N.Y.), midfielder Mia Goicochea (Fresh Meadows, N.Y.), goalkeepers Helene Kerr (Saugerties, N.Y.), and Charlotte Hoina (Holbrook, N.Y.) add significant depth, talent, and competitiveness to the roster as the Knights strive to contend for a championship.

Week One Match Day Preview

Match One: vs. Bloomsburg University Huskies
W-L-T History: 1-0-0

• Huskies are coming off a 9-5-5 season and made the PSAC postseason tournament.
• Thursday's matchup against the Huskies will be the second-ever meeting between both sides and the first meeting since the 2003 season, which saw the Knights earn a 1-0 victory at home.

Match Two: at Dominican University of New York Chargers
W-L-T History: 4-2-1

• In 2024, the Chargers compiled a record of 8-9-2 and advanced to the CACC Semifinals.
• It is the third straight season the Knights are matching up against the Chargers, while the 2023 match was cancelled due to weather. Last season the Knights earned a 3-0 victory with Rosenberger and Illiano recording a goal, and Tavantzis earning an assist.

Week Two Outlook:

Continuing non-conference play, the Knights welcome defending East Regional Champions and NE10 Champions in Franklin Pierce University Ravens to Flushing on Wednesday, Sept 10. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m.

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)