Panko, Saade leading charge for Stevens women’s soccer
What began as a mutual respect on the soccer fields of the Colonial Valley Conference has now become an eternal bond both on and off the field between Gabby Saade and Julia Panko.
Saade displayed her talents at West Windsor-Plainsboro South and Panko at Notre Dame, but the talented duo have No. 16 Stevens (8-2-2, 4-1 Empire 8) among the best in the nation.
“Having played against each other definitely made being able to play together easier,” said Saade. “We were able to see how each other plays before even coming to school giving us an advantage. We just had to use what we knew from playing against each other to play with each other.”
Playing in their second season for the Ducks, it was also nice to see a familiar face back in freshman year.
“It was nice having a familiar face on the team,” said Panko. “It was also nice to finally play together instead of playing against each other.”
The pair have been amazing on the field.
Saade leads the Ducks with seven goals, while Panko leads in assists with six and has six goals, including three game winners on the season for 18 points. Both are among the leaders in the conference.
Saade also has a pair of Empire 8 Player of the Week honors.
“Getting recognition like this is definitely an honor,” said Saade. “It’s even more exciting because Stevens women’s soccer has had a player of the week in each of the first five week. We focus on making individual successes, team successes, so this was a huge team success for us. Every player on our team works hard every day so whenever anyone gets an honor like this it drives everyone to work harder so that our team can continue to be recognized.”
The Ducks face Alfred (46-3, 1-1-2 Empire 8) this weekend before welcoming thirdranked The College of New Jersey to Hoboken on Wednesday.
Stevens has gone 8-1-1 in its last 10 games and is nationally ranked.
“The key has been our team culture and our relationships both on and off the field,” said Panko. “We are so close as a group and that really translates onto the field. We all want to do our best and work our hardest for each other and that helps us play together as a unit and get 1% better every day.”
If there is one characteristic the embodies both Panko and Saade it’s their passion for the game.
“Everyone on this team holds each other accountable to give 100 percent all the time,” said Panko. “I’m just so happy to be a part of this team and to be able to wear “Stevens” on my chest and represent my school.” Saade echoes the feeling. “I just really enjoy playing soccer,” said Saade. “I appreciate the opportunity to play at the college level with such amazing teammates in such a competitive environment. I just like to come out and play my hardest, try my best and have fun. I only have a few more soccer seasons left in my career so I want to make the most of every day and enjoy every second on the field.” a tackle, Austin O’Neill (Pennsbury) started at fullback, Tyler Sylvester (Burlington Twp.) started at center, Thomas McCloughan (South Hunterdon) started at left guard and Bert Robinson had a tackle.
The Aggies host Kings this week as they look to stay unbeaten
(Pennington) has started all 12 games and has four goals for Franklin & Marshall. (Robbinsville) scored a goal for Muhlenberg in a game with Montclair State. (Hun) started at
Allen
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James McDaid J.T. Bucsek …Courtney
center and (Robbinsville) had one catch in Muhlenberg’s emotional win over Ursinus. Longtime Muhlenberg coach Mike Donnelly passed away earlier in the week. (WW-P North) was the starting guard for Ursinus against Muhlenberg.
Stephen Dranoff …Greg Olsson
(New Egypt) had a goal and assisted on the game winner as Rutgers-Camden defeated New Jersey City. (Rancocas Valley) and (Hightstown) had assists for Rutgers-Camden. (Steinert) was on defense for Ursinus in a loss to Franklin & Marshall. (Lawrenceville) had an assist and Paul McWhirter (Pennington) started in the midfield for Franklin & Marshall in the win over Ursinus.
(Pennington) has started 10 games for Dickinson.
Aaron Muse Walter Barreto …Austin Summers Vincent Masitti …Dylan Bagley …Zach Colton Zoe Tesone Emma Russell
was on defense and (Bordentown) played upfront as Ursinus earned its first win of the season of Franklin & Marshall. (Princeton Day),
(Bordentown) and (Allentown) all played for Franklin & Marshall in a pair of games last week.
…Allison Kiel Liv McCutcheon Robertson
(Princeton)
Hannah