Salisbury’s top two goal scorers last season combined for 41 goals and 24 assists. Unfortunately for head coach Rick Babyak, both have graduated and leave a major void in the scoring department.

Forward Rylee Donaldson (now playing at Bucknell University) and midfielder Erica Holben are the two main graduates that must be replaced from last year’s team that finished 13-5-2 (8-2-2 in Colonial League) and fell in the District 11 Class 2A semifinal round. Donaldson led the Lady Falcons with 24 goals and 14 assists in 2018, while Holben added 17 goals and 10 assists.

The two also etched their names in Salisbury’s record books. Donaldson leads the Lady Falcons in career goals, assists and points scored, while Holben is ranked No. 7 on the all-time assists list.

But this group of Lady Falcons is ready to write its own story. And it starts with the team’s season opener against Notre Dame (East Stroudsburg) on Friday at 10 a.m.

“Though our numbers are low, there is a lot of quality on this team,” Babyak said. “There is a great work ethic and very good team unity. We hope this translates into positive results on the field. We expect to have a strong finish in the Colonial League and hope to make runs in the league and district playoffs.”

Last year, Salisbury missed the Colonial League four-team tournament via a head-to-head tiebreaker with Southern Lehigh. The Lady Falcons hope they don’t find themselves in a similar predicament in 2019.

Reaching the postseason once again could hinge on whether the Falcons can make up for the loss of goal scorers. Sophomore forward Quinn Wittman, who scored eight goals and added seven assists as a freshman, will be relied on heavily to put goals on the scoreboard in 2019.

Senior defensive midfielder Olivia Hoeing, a Colonial League Second-Team All-Star last season, also figures to have an increased scoring role. Senior Molly Foust, junior Caroline Kenyon, junior Kerry Seiler, junior Hannah Mamay, sophomore Elizabeth Ferrer, sophomore Katherine Medina, sophomore Gianna Fitzsimmons, sophomore Aaliyah M’Bai and sophomore Mona Shields are returnees that will provide depth at the forward and midfield positions as well.

“We have great team leaders who lead by example,” Babyak said. “We have a great group of returning and new players who have shown a real willingness to work toward building a strong team.”

Lily Schimeneck returns in goal. She was named a Colonial League Honorable Mention selection after posting 148 saves last year. She anchors a defense that Babyak hopes will get solid play from returners Jenna Sartorius (senior), Kayla Trenge (junior) and Chase Watto (sophomore).

Newcomers Syrena Pope (junior defender), Ari Young (junior defender), Bella Natosi (freshman forward), Hannah Kamp (freshman goalkeeper), Angela Bitar (freshman defender) and Mikayla Lighting (freshman).