WASHINGTON (November 6, 2024) - The Howard University women's soccer team is feeling vindicated these days. Considered the top HBCU program in the country overcame three disappointing seasons, but finally won its first ever NEC (Northeast Conference) regular season title in school history.
 
The 2024 Bison started the season 2-4-4 overall and never could find consistency. But then came the magical turnaround as Howard finished 7-0-1 down the stretch to capture the regular season title.
 
During that stretch, the Bison allowed only three goals and for their efforts, Howard will host the NEC Tournament, beginning Thursday (Nov. 7) at noon against No. 4 Stonehill (8-9-1, 7-2-1 NEC).
 
The Skyhawks have had their fair share of challenges this season but are ready to battle against a formidable Bison squad. Tuesday (Nov. 5), junior forward Hannah Anselmo was named NEC Offensive Player of the Year. On Sept. 19, HU opened league play with a 3-0 loss at Stonehill.
 
"After the first conference loss against Stonehill, we had a team meeting," recalled Melea Earley (La Mirada, Calif.), a senior and All-NEC Second Team selection this season. "We discussed what we wanted to achieve the rest of the way. We wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page."
 
During the program's first three seasons in the conference, the quest for success was affected by COVID-19 and then by a rash of injuries to key players that left the team struggling to find its way in the conference.
 
Last season, the Bison appeared to have found the winning formula, advancing to the tournament semifinals before falling to perennial kingpin Central Connecticut State.
 
The team came back motived by falling short and was impacted greatly by the loss of goalie sensation Trinity Knox (Atlanta).
 
The formula for this season has been a balanced attack from a number of different Bison and some outstanding defense. Thirteen different players have score at least one goal and Fort Knox has allowed only two goals during that stretch.
 
"It has truly been a team effort," said Brent Leiba, the 2024 NEC Coach of the Year. "That loss at Central Connecticut State served as a motivator for us that we could compete for the championship and the team performance down the stretch built the foundation for this success."
 
What make it all the more impressive is that Howard has done it mainly with underclassmen.
 
Freshman Gabriella Garcia-Terrell (Centreville, Va.) and sophomores Samantha James (Herndon, Va.) and Mimi Richards (Silver Spring, Md.) tallied 13 points, 13 points and 10 points, respectively, have been short of phenomenal.
 
It helps to have Earley's leadership that has taken the pressure off the younger players. A veteran who has seen it all, Earley has played in 67 games during her career and has 28 goals and 65 points, oftentimes being the primary goal scorer.
 
When the comes the sport of soccer, goalkeeping is perhaps the most important aspect of success. In Knox, Howard has the luxury of having a two-time NEC Goalkeeper of the Year. She ranked among the nation's best in goals allowed and since her return to the lineup, the team has posted an 8-3 record, recording six shoutouts and 52 saves.
 
"She's special," declared Leiba without hesitation. "She started slow, recovering from an injury but when she became 100 percent, it gave us a chance to win. It's a luxury to have a player of her caliber."
 
Another factor along with success comes individual accolades: Leiba (NEC Coach of the Year); Garcia-Terrell (NEC Freshman of the Year) redshirt junior Rachel Suttle (NEC Defensive Player of the Year); Knox (NEC Goalkeeper of the Year); James (NEC Midfielder of the Year) and Earley and senior midfielder Zoe Moore (Lutz, Fla.) each All-NEC Second Team.
 
If the Bison win, they will be playing in the tournament final against the winner of FDU-Wagner Sunday (Nov. 10) at noon. You can follow the action on NEC Front Row.

Derek W. Bryant, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations & Sports Information, and Drake Wright, International Businesses & Finance, c/o '25, contributed to this story.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.