Written by Michael Lewis

After a successful USL W League season in which the team finished second in the Metropolitan Division (8-2-2) and reached the playoffs, several players are still making an impact in the college ranks this fall.

Here are some player updates:

Nikki Bermudez

Forward Nikki Bermudez picked up for Mercy College where she left off with the Long Island Rough Riders

Bermudez, the Rough Riders’ Women’s Player of the Year, has recorded five goals and two assists for the Mustangs (6-1).

She was named the East Coast Conference offensive player of the week on Sept. 6 after collecting three goals in a 2-0 week. The Oceanside, N.Y. native and graduate student opened the week with a goal in 7-2 win over Southern Connecticut State on Aug. 31 and ended it with two goals in a 5-2 victory over Wilmington on Sept. 3.

After a two-game drought, Bermudez found the net in a 2-1 win over Holy Family University on Sept. 13 before she put on a virtuoso performance (one goal, two assists) in a 4-0 triumph over D’Youville University on Sept. 17.

Jessica Hoyt

Hoyt, another graduate student who hails from King Park, N.Y., has scored twice for Mercy. She tallied her first goal of the campaign for Mercy against Southern Connecticut State on Aug. 31 before finding the net again in the 4-0 result over D’Youville. She has started six of seven games.

Sofia Quijada

Another player from New Hyde Park, N.Y., Quijada has seen action in five matches for Trinity College (3-0-2). The Rough Riders’ first goal of the college season certainly was a memorable one as the sophomore defender tallied the lone score in a 1-0 victory over Clark University on Sept. 18.

Stephanie Sparkowski

The junior goalkeeper from East Meadow, N.Y. has not allowed a goal in 90 minutes over two appearances for the University of Michigan (5-3-1). She made her season debut in the 7-0 triumph over Central Michigan University on Sept. 4, making one save. She played another 45 minutes in a 7-2 victory at the University of Toledo on Sept. 11. She registered three saves in that appearance.

Lauren Hoolahan

Another junior keeper, Hoolahan has played 42 minutes and three seconds over two matches for McDaniel College, giving up one goal. The East Northport, N.Y. native has a 2.14 GAA.

Hope Neale

The Syosset, N.Y. resident has helped Swarthmore College (6-1) to limit opponents to only five goals. Neale, a sophomore midfielder, has registered one assist this season, in the 2-1 season-opening win over Arcadia University on Sept. 1.

Nina Carlomusto

Carlomusto, a senior, has started six games and play in all nine for Fairleigh Dickinson University (2-7-0) on defense. The Hicksville, N.Y. native has logged 521 minutes.

Alexa Vegoda

A Plainview, N.Y. resident, Vegoda has been an iron woman for Binghamton University (3-4-2), playing every minute (810) of her nine appearances. The defender-midfielder recorded her first assist of the season in a 1-0 win over Bryant University on Sept. 18 as the sophomore set up the lone goal of the match in the 40th minute.

Nicolette Caneda

A sophomore midfielder-forward, Caneda has started twice and played in five matches for Manhattan College (2-2-1). The New Hyde Park, N.Y. resident has not registered a point yet.

Elizabeth Cruz

Cruz, a Manhasset, N.Y. resident, has been a consistent performer as a junior midfielder at undefeated George Washington University. She has played in eight matches and started six for the undefeated squad (3-0-5).

The Rough Riders will have periodic updates on its men’s and women’s players during the college fall soccer season.