SOMERSET, N.J. – The Merrimack College women's soccer team was recognized by the NEC as the Warriors were awarded eight All-Conference selections including an individual award, by far the most in a single season for Merrimack College.
In his 39
th season,
Gabe Mejaíl, won Coach of the Year honors for leading the Warriors to their first appearance in the NEC Division One Playoff. Junior defender
Abigail Cieri was the lone person selected on the All-NEC First Team for the Warriors.
Four Warriors earned placement on the Second Team All-NEC list, including sophomore forward
Ella Cormier, senior forward
Molly Murnane, senior midfielder
Hallie Shiers, and senior defender
Erin Tyldesley. Two Warriors were also named to the All-NEC All Rookie list, including freshman defender
Caleigh Christensen and junior goalkeeper
Lily Morgan.
The Merrimack women's soccer team were picked to place sixth in the Northeast Conference (NEC) preseason poll, but has proven the doubters wrong as they earned a #2 seed in the Northeast Conference Tournament. The women's soccer program is the first Merrimack team to secure a spot in the NEC playoffs since being deemed eligible in the Division I reclassification process which started in 2019-20. The Warriors finished the regular season with an 8-7-3 record and a stellar 6-2-1 mark in conference, scoring 19 points in the standings.
Coach of the Year: Gabe Majail
Recognized as one of the most successful coaches in NCAA women's soccer history,
Gabe Mejail is only head coach that the program has ever known. Now in his fourth decade with the Warriors. He recently earned his 500
th victory all time as a coach against the University of Vermont this past regular season. He became the ninth coach in NCAA history to earn the 500-win milestone. Mejail led the Warriors to a 6-2-1 record and the number two seed in the NEC tournament. Merrimack boosted its win total from four to eight this season compared to last.
All-NEC First Team: Abigail Cieri
Cieri, a Matawan, New Jersey native, played over 1500 minutes as a starter in all 18 of the Warriors games this season. She seemed to be the key pivotal role on a defense who battled with opponents to hold them under 1.56 goal per game. The junior also added an assist while only attempting four shots, playing on the back end of the defense. Last season she earned Second Team All-NEC honors and as a freshman, was recognized on the All-Rookie team and All-Conference Second Team honors.
All-NEC Second Team: Ella Cormier
Cormier, an Acton, Mass native, contributed big for the Warriors this season. She ranks second on the team in points scored with 15 and second in goals scored with six. With that total she is also tied for second in assist with three. The sophomore made a huge contribution to the shot attempt total as she led the team with 58 shots, 30 of which were on goal including a game high of seven against Wagner College. She is credited with three game-winning goals this year as well.
All-NEC Second Team: Molly Murnane
Murnane, a Scarborough, Maine native, was very productive for the Warriors this season. She was first on the team in points with 19 and first in goals scored with 8. She also tied second in assist with three. She was named NEC Player of the Week on October 17
th after she scored a hat trick against Wagner with her goals leading the Warriors to win in a shutout. She also recorded seven shots on goal, with the three goals from her. She also had one goal in the Warriors matchup with Dartmouth College earlier in the week. She's scored or had an assist in four of her last five games.
All-NEC Second Team: Hallie Shiers
Shiers, a Gorham, Maine native, helped the Warriors squad with consistent play all season, starting all 18 games for the team this year. She accounted for four points this season, one for a goal and two assists. Shiers scored her goal this season against Maine and tallied her assists in the game against Saint Francis (PA) and Wagner College. Shiers also had a season high of three shots against Howard in September of her senior season.
All-NEC Second Team: Erin Tyldesley
Tyldesley is a senior defender from Grafton, Mass. Tyldesley has been a valuable player on defense for her senior season. She has started and played 17 games out of 18 games this season. Even as a defender she has had 18 shots with six on goal this season as well. Tyldesley had a season high of shots and shots on goal with four and three against St. Francis (PA).
All-NEC All Rookie List: Caleigh Christensen
Christensen is a freshman defender from Mendon, Mass. Christensen started off her career with the Warriors starting all 18 games this season. Christensen has a total of six points, recorded one goal and four assists. She had a season high of four shots against LIU and two assists against St. Francis (PA). Christensen has a total of 11 shots for her freshmen year.
All-NEC All Rookie List: Lily Morgan
Morgan is a junior goalkeeper from Hudson, Ohio. After coming off an injury year, Morgan did a phenomenal job protecting the goal. Morgan has played and started 17 games for her junior year. As a goalkeeper, Morgan managed to have one shot on goal this season and two assists. Morgan had a season high of 27 shots faces and 14 saves against Syracuse in early September. Morgan recorded a save percentage of 77.8%. She had 234 shots on her with only 26 goals allowed.
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