PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle University women's soccer team will open its 2025 season at McCarthy Stadium on Thursday night vs. Bucknell at 6 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

The Explorers will look to secure a fourth consecutive season with .500 or better record. Last year, a late season skid prompted La Salle to narrowly miss the Atlantic 10 Tournament after earning its way to the conference title game the season prior.

Who's Back

Senior goalkeeper Gabby Neal returns to anchor the Explorers' defense after establishing herself as a reliable presence in net in 2023. She'll share the position with senior Mackenna Yaracs, giving La Salle one of the most experienced goalkeeper tandems in the Atlantic 10. On the back line and in the midfield, graduate student Jillian Drumm is back to provide versatility and leadership. In addition, senior midfielder Elizabeth Estrada returns to bring poise and vision to connect La Salle's defense and attack.

New Faces

La Salle adds a talented freshman class in 2025, featuring eight freshmen, several of whom earned accolades at the high school level. Last season, the Explorers featured Alexis Garcia, who scored three goals and passed for an assist en route to being named to the A-10 All-Rookie Team.

The Schedule

The Explorers' 2025 schedule features seven home games at McCarthy Stadium, starting with back-to-back non-conference matchups against Bucknell and Lehigh. Following those, La Salle will travel for several non-conference contests before returning home to open Atlantic 10 play. The Atlantic 10 Tournament kicks off on Friday, October 31, with semifinals slated for Wednesday, November 5, and the championship game on Sunday, November 9.

About Bucknell

This will be the third matchup versus Bucknell with the Bison claiming both past victories. Led under Coach Kelly Cook, Bucknell hopes to keep riding the success of last season's 12-4-3 record, even reaching the championship game before falling short to Boston University in a penalty shootout.