In 2023, Rich Owens was announced as Marywood’s new head coach. On the heels of Andrew Smith leading the Pacers to their second Atlantic East Conference title, expectations were high for the new man at the helm. In his first season in Scranton, he led the Pacers to a 9-7-1 record, falling just short of repeating as champions. It wouldn’t take long for Owens and his squad to get the job done, as the Pacers produced its most productive season, finishing with a 15-4-2 record, going undefeated in the Atlantic East en route to a third conference title and a national tournament bid.
In all aspects of the game, Marywood dominated. The biggest question mark was goalkeeping, with none of the rostered keepers having more than one year’s experience at the collegiate level. However, the platoon method Owens opted for with Jenna Orr and Genevieve Morrison was overwhelmingly successful, as Marywood issued just seven goals across 21 games. The duo’s success led to ninth in Division III in goals against average (.333) and save percentage (.889).
The lack of opponent scoring can’t solely be credited to the goalkeepers. Adding graduate transfer defender Britlyn Higgins to the back line paid dividends. Matching her success was Carly Walters, Faith Meals and Mia Menzzasalma, who made the opposing forwards struggle to produce any attacking runs.
The midfield was where Marywood thrived, with Marywood all-time assists leader Josephine Sorce ranking in the top-30 in Division III in goals (16) and top-15 in assists (13). Alongside Sorce was fellow senior Caroline Plank, graduate transfer Rylee Alston and freshman Maura Kirkpatrick, who ranked third on the rosters in points in 2024.
Between Sorce and Kirkpatrick in points was senior Riley Mulherin, on the heels of a 21-goal season. Though she didn’t match his mark from 2023, Mulherin scored 13 times, while assisting seven goals. Pairing with her up top was Caroline Walters, who set new highs in goals (eight), assists (five) and points (21).
Marywood is going to need a few players on the roster to accept a bigger role, as Sorce, Mulherin and Plank have all graduated. Higgins and Alston return for another season, with Higgins serving as one of the Pacers’ captains. Kirkpatrick had the success she did, earning an Atlantic East Conference First Team nomination, while only starting in just over half of her appearances. The Pacers roster revitalized some of its losses by adding 11 first-year players.
Along with the freshmen, the Pacers landed junior midfielder Riley Bittenbender from the transfer portal. A Scranton native, Bittenbender transferred to Marywood after two years at Mansfield University, starting in 14 of her 17 appearances in 2024.
After an exhibition match against Navy on Tuesday, the Pacers kick off their 2025 regular season at SUNY Polytechnical Institute. Following the opening road game, Marywood will return home to have six of its next nine non-conference games in Scranton, before opening Atlantic East Conference play. Following a home match against Neumann University to open conference play, Marywood has its inaugural game against the Atlantic East’s newest member, Saint Elizabeth University. After another home match against Centenary University, Marywood has one lone non-conference match amid its conference schedule, traveling to Wilson College. On the back half of its AEC matches, Marywood is on the road for three of its final four games, including a rematch of last season’s Atlantic East Championship, with the Pacers and Marymount University Saints facing off on Oct. 18.
All stats from MarywoodPacers.com and NCAA as of Aug. 26.
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