Members of the JCC women’s soccer team practice at Bill Race Field in Falconer. Photo courtesy of JCC Athletics

JAMESTOWN — The 2025 edition of the Jamestown Community College women’s soccer team enters the season with a renewed sense of joy for the game they’ve all loved since childhood.

“It is really exciting, especially because we have a lot of new potential. So, I am really excited,” said sophomore Arryanna Bardo.

That new potential is in the form of a large group of freshmen joining the four returning sophomores.

“It is so much fun to be out with the girls and new girls. We can back it with a lot of experience, but also a lot of talent coming to it. It is so fun. It’s a great day,” added sophomore Teagan Kosinski.

The four returners were part of a team that went 2-9-1 in 2024, a tough season, but one full of learning and growth.

“It feels really good to be back, especially with our team. We are stronger than last year; we have good skill, so it feels good,” said sophomore Morgan Maloney.

Maloney, who started all 12 games in net for the green and gold, along with Amara Pacheco, who led the team with 11 goals, return as all-conference and all-region award winners. Those two know what it takes to excel on the college level and will need to be unquestioned leaders for this rendition of the Jayhawks.

“Really hard work to push ourselves as a whole. We have to lean on each other for support when it is needed,” mentioned Maloney.

“I try to be hardworking myself. I try to push the team to keep working and not give up,” said sophomore Pacheco.

Those four began showing their leadership skills during the offseason, a time when work may go unnoticed but shines through on the pitch.

“A lot of us put in a lot of work in the offseason. I know personally that’s all I did in the spring and summer. It takes a lot of work on and off the field,” said Bardo.

Regardless of how much time is spent on the practice field, all the Jayhawks agree a successful 2025 campaign comes down to one word.

“Fundamentals. We need to get our footwork down. We obviously want to win, but in the end it is building a team and hopefully building numbers. It will take hard work for sure,” smiled Pacheco.

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“I think the hard work and work ethic. The grit on the hard days and putting in the extra miles. The basic soccer fundamentals,” added Kosinski.

The first chance to see those fundamentals on display comes Saturday, Aug. 23, at 2 p.m. when JCC visits SUNY Adirondack. The ladies first home game is set for Saturday, Aug. 30, at noon when North Country Community College comes to town.