BRYN ATHYN, Pa. - The 2021 women's soccer season has been nothing short of amazing. The team came into the season with the mantra of "Make History", and history has been made. As they prep for their first NCAA tournament appearance in school history against host Misericorida, the team is hungry for more. 

Coach Bill O'Neill on "Make History", "Knowing we were going into the season with such a great group of seniors I knew we wanted to leave our mark not only in the women's soccer program but the athletic program. We started to think about a theme would be during the Covid year. We took a look at our schedule and conference, and felt we can do something special this year. Everyone bought in from the beginning and used it as our motivation through the season. With some great last-minute additions to the program and players getting healthy at the right time all the pieces of the puzzle came together. All of the "what ifs" became reality."

Senior captain and CSAC Player of the Year, Ashley Rivera said, "This team undoubtedly stands out from the teams in previous years. We are so close and everyone gets along really well. We give it our all, every. single. day. When I tell you that I've never been a part of a team that brings so much intensity and positivity to each and every game, I mean it. We constantly lift each other up and push each other to be the best versions of ourselves both on and off the field."

They entered the preseason with a renewed focus after the pandemic canceled the 2020 season. The team being so close knew they had the pieces to do something special. Fellow senior captain, Paulina Storck said,"There was something different in the energy coming into this season. I think having our season canceled last year made a lot of girls realize how important being part of a team is and what a great opportunity it is to be able to play this sport together. I think our teams in the past have always been close, but our chemistry this year is so strong. Everyone pushes each other in practice and there's such positive energy every day, and I think that makes such a difference on the field."

If you had a chance to watch the women's soccer team this year, you saw the joy in which they played with. They started a little slow going 1-2-1 in the first four games, but finished the season on an 11-1-1 tear which included securing the first NCAA conference championship in Bryn Athyn history, and Rivera being named player of the year along with 5 teammates joining her on the all-conference teams.

Rivera being a senior captain recognized how special of an opportunity the program had, and how important mindset was to achieving the goals she had for the team and herself. "There needed to be a complete turnaround in our program and in my contribution to the team. In the beginning of the season, I set personal goals," Rivera continued. "On a piece of paper that I keep in my bag I wrote, "Get 10 goals and First-Team All-CSAC." Well, I accomplished just that & player of the year! I think the biggest thing that helped me achieve these goals has been my change of mindset. Through the help of many different people in my life, I've learned different strategies to be mentally strong. I am a much more positive person than I was before and I just constantly believed in myself and my team. I wouldn't have accomplished all of those goals without my teammates' dedication and support through it all, and I have tried lead by example that if you work hard and stay positive the outcomes will be positive."

Being the first to do something is never easy. It takes a unique commitment and connection. The women's soccer team is made up of neighborhood girls. Coach O'Neill built the program from within the local community. Storck said, "Not only am I playing with two people from my childhood soccer team (Payton Gormley and Tori Titano) that was coached by Coach O, but I have the incredible opportunity to play with my two cousins (Gormley and Shea Gormley) and my sister (Maria Storck). This season means so much more than just winning a championship at my college, because it's also brought a championship to my family! I also think that being a leader on the team while having my sister, cousins, and best friends around me makes me want to be a better captain and player for them. Being able to play this season with the people I love is something I'll never forget, and I'll forever be grateful for this memorable opportunity." The neighborhood girls did something that has never been done before, and now they are preparing to take on one of the nations best, Misericordia is ranked 4th in the nation for Division III soccer. 

Coach O'Neill on the matchup, "Obviously we are going up one of the best teams in the country. Misericordia has been at the top of the women's game for a long time now and I totally respect their program. It's a great opportunity for us being the smallest NCAA program in the country to play one of the most reputable programs in the country. It's the first time for us on the national stage, but our players love this opportunity for sure."

Storck and Rivera both reflected on what they want this team to be remember by. Storck said, "I want this team to be remembered for our heart and perseverance. This program is so young, having only been around for a few years! We came in my freshman year with a losing program, so a championship honestly felt so far away. To have this group of young women around, fighting each second of every game, coming back to win games from behind, winning our conference championship, and now being a part of the NCAA tournament has just been incredible. This season is the one that puts us on the map! People who have never heard of Bryn Athyn now know our name because we did something so special, and I can't wait to see what this program continues to do after I graduate."

Rivera echoed Storck, "I want this team to be remembered for our determination. We came into the season thinking we were going to do great things, and that's exactly what we did. We made history by winning the championships for the first time ever at Bryn Athyn College. Now we, one of the smallest NCAA schools in the country, get to appear in the NCAA tournament! I hope that people are inspired by all that we have accomplished and continue to accomplish."

The Lions will travel to Misericordia tomorrow set on continuing to make history. 

The Matchup
Bryn Athyn @ #4 Misericordia | Kick off: 1:00 PM, November 13, 2021 | Dallas, Pa. 

Tale of the Tape
Bryn Athyn: 12-3-2 , GPG: 3.06 , GA: 1.5
Misericorida: 18-1 , GPG: 3.95 , GA: 0.47