The Atlantic Cape Community College Buccaneers women’s soccer team enters its 2025 season full of hope and optimism as the squad returns a solid core of eight sophomore student-athletes along with several talented and exciting freshmen when it takes to the field in September.
Last season was a rebuilding year for a young Buccaneers squad that finished 1-6-2 while playing at the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Club level. They posted a convincing 7-3 victory over Lehigh Carbon Community College for their only victory of the season while battling hard against Sussex County Community College and Bergen Community College to 1-1 draws.
An infectious enthusiasm and determination to compete until the final whistle pulled the team through the toughest of games. In the end, it made the season a great learning tool for 2025 as the Buccaneers return to the NJCAA’s Division III competition level.
“A big strength on this team is our student-athlete’s team work and leadership skills that combine with a never quit mentality,” said Head Coach Wesley Raywood, who returns this year along with assistant coach Abigail Flemming. “After the growing pains, experiences and lessons learned last season our team has a good understanding of the league. Our core of returning sophomore will have play a key role in imparting invaluable wisdom upon our group of new and exciting freshmen.”
Leading the way in 2025 for the Buccaneers are eight sophomore student-athletes whose skill and experience will be an important component in the team’s success.
Team captain and midfielder Annette Bautista Escobedo will continue to lend experience and leadership to the squad both on and off of the field. Leading goal scorer and forward Angelina Bell, who scored five goals in 2024, brings energy and passion to the team, and will once again be relied upon to lead the team in scoring. Defender Braelyn Brant brings stability to the back line with her tenacious defense, which gives the team a foundation to build upon game-in and game-out. Midfielder Gisselle Lopez returns after an injury last season and is expected to add a spark on the field.
Defender Malina Becker will go up and down the line while supporting the ball. Dual-sport student-athlete Millinda Marigliano, who was an All-Garden State Athletic Conference Division III First Team and NJCAA Region 19 Division III Second Team selection last season for her women’s basketball efforts, will be back between the posts giving the team a solid foundation as the goaltender. Rosalie Jogno brings her jovial and positive attitude towards the game to the field along with her aggressive and competitive nature on defense. Samantha Cosme brings an attacking offensive threat to the wide areas of the field along with her penchant for creating offensive chances one-on-one.
Complementing this returning core of the Buccaneers roster are eight freshmen student-athletes, who will add youthful exuberance, skill and depth to the team.
Forward Christy Medina adds pace and creativity to the squad. Forward Diana Ruiz has the ability to make a tremendous impact this season as she brings a much-needed goal scoring touch in and around the box. Midfielder Alyssa Bybee contributes a keen understanding of the game. Other first-year student-athletes include defender Elena Cabrera Andrade, Miriam Rebolledo, defender Gabriella Ruiz, midfielder/forward Nataly Trinidad-Lopez and Rainelle Blocker.
Head Coach Raywood is looking forward to his team growing throughout the season from the experiences they endure as they as build towards remaining competitive game-in and game-out.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/womenssoccer for schedule, results, and student-athlete and coaches bios.
