Lancaster Inferno Approaching Season Opener Sunday
Inferno to Face Eagle FC on May 19th
Lancaster, PA – Lancaster Inferno’s First Team is set to kick off the 2024 season, its inaugural season in the USL W League, against 2023 East Conference Champions Eagle FC on Sunday, May 19. The game will take place at 7 p.m. at Mountain View Middle School in Mechanicsburg, PA. Access to the full 2024 schedule can be found HERE.
The First Team, led by second-year Head Coach Stephanie Cleaves, will have thirteen returning players, including Co-Captains Ryelle Shuey (ELCO HS/Lehigh), Marissa DiGenova (Temple alum/Caribbean Stars), Teresa Rook (JMU alum/Kvarnsvedens IK). Joining them are Kayla Keefer (Central Columbia HS/Ole Miss), Ellie Breech (Cumberland Valley HS/Pitt), Taylor Mentzer (Exeter HS/UNCG), and Jackie Richards (Exeter HS/Villanova).
Local players returning this year include Maddie Mohr (Elizabethtown HS/Kutztown alum), Jessica Weinoldt (Hempfield HS/McDaniel), Kay Liebl (Ephrata HS/Millersville alum), Olivia Shertzer (Warwick HS/WVU), Rachel Eberly (Cocalico HS/George Mason), and Rachel Ludwick (York Suburban HS/Monmouth).
In addition, six new players will join in on the action this summer: Anouk Landgraff (Penn Manor HS/SFU), Maddie Levy (Manheim Central HS/WVU), Carolyn Hinkle (Penn Manor HS/Buffalo), Carly Keene (Penn Manor HS/Lehigh), Natalie Magnotta (Episcopal Academy/Penn State), and Eva Wierzbowski (Central Bucks West HS/Pitt).
“We have a very talented group and I look forward to facing great competition in the USL W League Mid Atlantic Division,” said Coach Cleaves, “We expect to build on the success of last season and the key will be for our players to gel early on.”
Cleaves, former Inferno First Team player, assistant coach and 2023 UWS East Conference Coach of the Year, retains a similar coaching staff from the previous 2023 season with Assistant Coach Wendell Hannaford (4th season), Goalkeeper Coach Kenny Archer (3rd season) and Performance Coach / First Team Assistant Coach Chris Weibel (10th season). Former U20 Assistant and Current Youth Club Coach Adam Morris is also set to join the staff for the 2024 season. More information about the coaching staff can be found HERE.
Next up, Lancaster Inferno will travel to Glen Burnie, MD to take on Christos FC on Wednesday, May 22nd. Match details can be found HERE. The Inferno will host Nova FC in their home opener on Sunday, May 26th at 6pm at Franklin & Marshall College (Tylus Field). Online ticket sales and game details can be found HERE.
Article written by Emily Bucolo
About Lancaster Inferno
Founded in 2008, Lancaster Inferno fields a women’s pre-professional soccer team that competes in the USL W League. The First Team roster is composed of players who want to pursue their professional aspirations and features current/post college players and former professionals.
Committed to fostering a comprehensive player pathway from youth to pre-professional levels, Lancaster Inferno is the sole all-girls travel soccer club in Pennsylvania offering age-appropriate opportunities across various stages of development.
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About the USL W League
The USL W League is a leader in pre-professional soccer in North America, developing the next generation of women’s talent both on and off the field. The USL W League strives to use women’s soccer as a force for societal good by creating a national platform to increase opportunity, gender equity, and career development. The League and its member clubs are committed to investing in women’s soccer – through not only financial resources but also with time, energy, and attention – and are united in our mission to grow the women’s game.
The USL W League will serve as the nation’s premier pre-professional league developing the next generation of women’s talent both on and off the field, enhancing the women’s soccer pipeline between college and professional soccer. Learn more at uslwleague.com.
