12/19/24

SCRANTON, Pa. -- As we approach the end of 2024, Lackawanna College Athletics is reflecting on the top moments from the 2024 athletics calendar, and revealing them one day at a time between now and the new year! 

Today's top event comes to us from women's soccer!

#13: Women's Soccer Returns To The Postseason
It's been a long, winding road for women's soccer since its last postseason appearance... 12 years, to be exact. 

That changed in the 2024 campaign under second-year head coach Dan Badyrka, as the Falcons emerged from the wilderness to win a pair of games and qualify for the Region XIX DII tournament. An 11-0 loss to Hagerstown CC to start the season turned out to be an abberration more than an indicator of the season ahead, as the Falcons, despite the 2-5-0 overall record, were very competitive in every game the rest of the way, and set several marks for the program.

A 7-1 win against Lehigh Carbon CC on September 12th marked the most goals scored in varsity competition in three years for the women's soccer program.

A 2-1 win against Sussex on September 17th was the first win against the Skylanders in 12 years. It also marked the first time since 2012 that the Falcons had won back-to-back games. 

The Falcons qualified for the Region XIX DII playoffs, the first time in 12 years that they'd play postseason soccer. Lackawanna played Essex County College tough on Halloween, twice tying the game up after falling behind, but ultimately falling 4-2 in the semi-final round.

First-year forward Melanie Shumway (Rome, PA) led the team with eight goals this season, the most since Ashley Bruno scored nine goals in the spring 2021 season. Shumway had a hattrick against Lehigh Carbon CC, the first hattrick for a Falcon since Bruno in spring 2021. Shumway and defender Emma Scalese were named to the Region XIX DI/DII First-Team for their efforts on the year, the first time in three seasons that the Falcons had a pair of all-region selections.

The 2024 season also marked a return to full-time varsity competition for women's soccer, after only competing in three games the year prior, and having been a club team during the 2022 season.

It was a step in the right direction for the women's soccer program, and one that the Falcons will look to build on for the future.

Top 14 Moments Of 2024 For Lackawanna College Athletics  
14) Women's Basketball Knocks Off Harcum College
13) Women's Soccer Returns To The Postseason
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