2017 Soccer Year In Review

Photo of the Lyons soccer team huddling up before the start of the second half during a game in 2017.

Results | Roster | Statistics | News

Led by eleventh-year head coach Kanae Haneishi, the Mount Holyoke soccer team ended its 2017 campaign with a 2-14-2 overall record, going 0-9-1 in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action.

The Lyons opened up the season at home on September 1 with a double-overtime thriller against UMass-Dartmouth. Despite falling, 3-2, junior defender Avia Jacobs assisted on both MHC goals scored by sophomore Hannah Finn-Erb and senior Sara Sanaú Ruiz, while junior goalkeeper Amanda Manaster made 11 saves.

Mount Holyoke rebounded well the next game with a 6-1 victory at Albertus Magnus. Five different players registered goals for the Lyons, including two from Sanaú Ruiz. Senior captain Suz Rose connected for two assists, while Manaster had 12 saves. Following a tough loss to #14 Amherst College, the Lyons once again bounced back with two second half goals to lift MHC past Southern Vermont, 2-1.

A rough patch followed through the end of September, but MHC rallied for a solid 3-3 tie against Bay Path College. Sanaú Ruiz and Suz Rose each registered a goal and an assist, while Finn-Erb added a goal. After a two-game skid, Mount Holyoke did a great job of neutralizing Clark University's offense, playing to a 0-0 tie. As the season continued, sophomore forward Minerva Veeser-Bobea had her strongest game of the year with two unassisted goals in a 4-2 loss to Wheaton College. MHC ended the season at home with a tough 2-1 loss to Babson College, where Sanaú Ruiz registered her team-leading sixth goal of the year.

Overall, Sanaú Ruiz led the team with 14 points, adding two assists to go along with her goals. She posted a team-leading 26 shots on goal for a .591 SOG percentage and had two game-winning goals. Both Finn-Erb and Veeser-Bobea each registered nine points on the year, both with four goals and one assist. Suz Rose was the leading catalyst for the offense with a team-best three assists. In net, Manaster played in all 18 games and registered 175 saves to lead the NEWMAC.

The Lyons were strong academically with 14 players making it to the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team. Seniors Nicole De Araujo, Molly Hershkowitz, Liz Rose, Suz Rose, Sanaú Ruiz, Sophie Manum, juniors Alex Kenoian, Dale Leonheart and Manaster. Sophomores McKenna Lamb, Finn-Erb, Cora Melcher, Abby Tuckett and Lilydahn Stewart were all tabbed as well.