The Shepherd University women’s soccer team made history this past week as they climbed to #15 in the United Soccer Coaches national poll. Prior to this season the Ram’s women’s soccer team had never been ranked at all.
With an impressive overall record of 7-1-4 and a conference record of 7-1-2, the Rams have proven themselves in the fiercely competitive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. They share the spotlight with fellow PSAC members #10 Gannon University and #23 Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Although Kutztown University and East Stroudsburg University initially appeared in the poll, they’ve since dropped out as the season has progressed.
Shepherd has yet to face Gannon or IUP, but they’ve already taken on Kutztown and East Stroudsburg, resulting in a 1-1 draw with Kutztown and a 3-0 win over East Stroudsburg.
Under the leadership of third-year head coach Sam Odell, the Rams have flourished.
Odell, a native of England, served as an assistant coach for Shepherd in 2019 and 2020 before stepping into the role of interim head coach in 2021. Since taking the reins, he has transformed the program, significantly improving their season records and setting the highest winning percentage in program history last year.
Odell is supported by an accomplished coaching staff, including goalkeeper coach Sam Greene, graduate assistant Patrick Grey, and volunteer assistant Paris Kimbrell. Together, they’ve helped build a team that shines as brightly as its leadership.
The Rams’ roster boasts several standout players, including junior forward Lydia Gable, who leads the team with eight goals this season. Gable’s accuracy has been exceptional, with 75% of her shots landing on target. Midfielder Reagan Ackermann, a transfer from UNC Wilmington, follows closely behind with four goals.
Gable also tops the assists chart with six, while fellow Pennsylvanian Annabelle Wunderlich trails with three.
Defensively, the Rams have been solid, allowing only seven goals across 12 games. Much of that success is due to sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Wilt, who has played nearly every minute this season.
Wilt, standing at 5-foot-7, didn’t see action last year but has emerged as a key player this year, tallying 37 saves and posting a strong 0.841 save percentage.
With six games left in the regular season, the Rams are preparing for a final push before the postseason. This week, they’ll travel to face Millersville on Wednesday and return home to take on Kutztown at noon on Saturday.
The remaining schedule includes matchups against Mansfield on October 30, Lock Haven on November 2, Shippensburg on November 6, and West Chester on November 9.
