The Howard Bison women’s soccer team looks to pursue a conference title this 2024 season, taking the next step to build upon last year’s success. Howard went 12- 6-2, 6-3-1 NEC, reaching the league semifinals in 2023.
Picked to finish third in the preseason, the Bison features a competitive mix of seasoned veterans and some young proven talent, said Howard Coach Brett Leiba, now in his 15th season.
“We have transitioned over the years and had success when we were in the SWAC [Southwestern Athletic Conference]. But we are now trying to establish identity in the NEC,” explained the coach. “We are past the point of making noise; we feel that we can not only compete, we can win championships in this conference.”
Coach Leiba is leaning heavily on the Bison’s big three—senior forward Melea Earley (La Mirada, California), first-team All-NEC and the team leader in scoring and goals scored the last three seasons; All-Rookie selections last season, Trinity Knox (Atlanta), who also was a conference first-teamer and won the conference’s Goalie of the Year; and midfielder Samantha James (Herndon, Va.)—both Knox and James are sophomores.
Knox, James, and midfielder Asia Mickens-Perez (Upper Marlboro, Md.) are all sophomores and part of perhaps Howard’s best recruiting class in recent years.
Senior midfielder Savannah Hirsch (Huntington, Maryland) hopes to have finally an injury-free campaign— injuries have hurt her throughout her Howard career.
“Now I am ready to get out there and contribute to achieve our goals,” said Hirsch.
Other squad members include senior midfielder Kyra Bolden (McLean, Virginia), junior midfielder Zoe Moore (Lutz, FL), redshirt junior defender Rachel Suttle (Smyma, Georgia), and redshirt junior defender Samone Knight (Woodlands, Texas), who are among the experienced players Leiba will be looking for this season.
Howard’s 2024 season, which began August 15 hosting Saint Peter’s, is expected to be a challenging one with several nonconference matches, including the Battle of the Real HU against Hampton in Norfolk, Va., on August 18 before NEC play begins later on.
“The program has come a long way from when I started 15 years ago,” concluded Leiba. “We have had some success, and we are now able to recruit some elite athletes. It is like night and day.”