FLUSHING, N.Y. – Following a 2-0 start to the 2026 season, head coach Thomas Paris and the Queens College women's soccer team look to continue their strong opening week with a pair of non-conference contests in Week Two.
The Knights are off to their first 2-0 start since 2013. The strong opening has also earned Queens recognition in the latest United Soccer Coaches East Region poll, where the Knights checked in at No. 9 on Tuesday, marking the program's first regional ranking since the 2023 season.
Through two matches, Queens has outscored its opponents 5-0 while averaging 18.5 shots per match and limiting opponents to just 7.5 shots per contest.
Senior Ashley Kieblesz has led the offensive charge, recording three goals and six points through the opening two matches. Following her strong start, Kieblesz was named the East Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.
The Knights also swept the ECC's weekly defensive honors. Senior Ava Lekanides was named Defensive Player of the Week after recording one goal while helping Queens post a pair of shutouts. Senior goalkeeper Samantha Hines-Hirsch earned Goalkeeper of the Week honors after making eight saves and recording two shutouts.
Queens will conclude its season-opening three-match homestand on Wednesday when the Knights welcome nationally ranked Bentley University to Knights Field before traveling to Lakewood, N.J., on Saturday afternoon for a matchup against Georgian Court University.
Bentley University Preview
Bentley enters the week with a 2-0 record and is ranked No. 24 nationally and No. 3 in the East Region. Wednesday's matchup will mark the eighth all-time meeting between the two programs, with Queens trailing the series, 2-5.
The Knights are seeking their first victory over the Falcons since 2008, when Queens earned a 3-2 overtime victory in Flushing. Both of Queens' victories in the all-time series have come at home.
Bentley opened the season with a pair of shutout victories, defeating Molloy University and Wilmington University by a combined score of 6-0.
Georgian Court University Preview
Georgian Court enters the week with an 0-2 record. Saturday's contest will mark the 13th all-time meeting between the Knights and Lions, with Queens holding a 5-3-4 advantage in the series.
The matchup will be Queens' first trip to Lakewood since 2016, when the Knights suffered a 2-1 defeat on Oct. 12. Queens is seeking its first victory over the Lions since earning a 1-0 win in Flushing on Sept. 15, 2013. The Knights' last road victory over Georgian Court came in 2009, when Queens posted a 3-0 triumph.
The Lions opened their season with a pair of losses, falling to No. 7 Nova Southeastern and Palm Beach Atlantic.
NEXT WEEK OUTLOOK
Queens will open a two-match homestand next week, welcoming Pace University to Knights Field on Sept. 9 before hosting Dominican University of New York on Sept. 12.
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)
