Dryden native tapped as new Le Moyne women’s soccer coach

Dryden native Taylor Van Fleet (Bennett) has had an exciting last few months.

On Sept. 6, 2025, Van Fleet was inducted into the New York State High School Girls Soccer Hall of Fame, highlighting her accomplishments at Dryden High School.

Then, on Jan. 8, Van Fleet was named the head coach of the Le Moyne College women’s soccer team — a Division I program competing in the Northeast Conference.

Phil Brown, Le Moyne’s Assistant Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation, made the announcement.

Van Fleet will lead the Dolphins after four seasons as an assistant coach for the Binghamton University women’s soccer squad. During that time, Van Fleet helped guide the Bearcats to three America East Conference regular season titles.

“Taylor’s local roots and experience playing Division I soccer at a high level in this city give her an authentic connection to our community and a strong foundation to lead our women’s soccer program,” Brown said.

Van Fleet was a standout for the Dryden girls soccer team. She tallied 186 career goals and 36 assists in six varsity seasons. She recorded 48 goals in her senior year for the Lions, a single-season program record that led to her being named the 2015 New York State Class B Player of the Year.

The single-season goals record was previously held by Van Fleet’s sister, Leighann, who had a record 34 goals at the time. Taylor and Leighann had an opportunity to play on the same Lions squads for three seasons.

Van Fleet was a four-year starting defender for the Syracuse University women’s soccer team. She assisted the Orange with 21 shutouts before graduating in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in health and exercise science and a minor in coaching and physical education.

Following her collegiate career, Van Fleet played three seasons of professional soccer in Iceland.

Van Fleet started her coaching career as an assistant for Syracuse Development Academy from 2017 to 2020. She is also a personal trainer and fitness expert with multiple professional certifications.

Van Fleet entered the collegiate coaching ranks with Binghamton. From there, the Bearcats compiled a 31-18-21 overall record and received Coaching Staff of the Year honors in 2022 and 2025.

“Le Moyne is getting a terrific hire in Taylor Van Fleet,” said Neel Bhattacharjee, the Binghamton women’s soccer coach. “She played an instrumental role in our consistent championship level of success during her four seasons at Binghamton. Taylor played soccer at a high level in the ACC and professionally in Europe and knows the game and how to connect with student-athletes. Her values and ambitions will align strongly with the Le Moyne student-athletes, alumni and community. We are grateful for all her efforts at Binghamton and sad to see her go, and now look forward to watching her make big gains for Le Moyne women’s soccer in developing a positive team culture and building them into a contender.”

Now, Van Fleet will get set for a new chapter at Le Moyne.

“I want to thank President Linda LeMura and Athletic Director Phil Brown for this opportunity and belief in me to lead Le Moyne College women’s soccer,” she said. “I am excited to be back in the Syracuse area and to get started with the team. There has been a shared vision throughout this process, and I am most excited to work closely with the players, staff and administration to create a team culture of achievement and excellence within the program and to guide this group to reach their full potential, both on and off the soccer field.”

The Dolphins are coming off a 2025 season in which they went 2-13-4. Brown announced on Nov. 17 that the women’s soccer program would go through a leadership change after it was decided that Jaro Zawislan would not return as head coach.

In brief:

Republican Party caucus on Jan. 23 in Dryden

A Republican Party caucus of the village of Dryden is on Friday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m.

The caucus will be held on the second floor of the village hall at 16 South St. The purpose of the caucus is to receive and nominate two board of trustees candidates (two-year term) for the village election on March 18.

All registered Republicans in the village are welcome and eligible to attend.

Freeville Elementary School PTA fundraiser night on Jan. 23

The Freeville Elementary Parent/Teacher Association (PTA) is hosting a fundraiser night from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23.

The fundraiser will be held at Brewer’s Taproom & Kitchen at 1384 Dryden Rd. in Ithaca.

“A portion of all sales from dine-in and take-away orders will benefit our wonderful school and students. Take a break and enjoy a delicious meal from a local business with friends and family,” according to information.

For more information or questions, send an email to freevillepta@gmail.com or go to the Freeville Elementary PTA Facebook page.

Upcoming Dryden BOE meeting

The Dryden Board of Education is scheduled to meet Jan. 26 at 6 p.m.

The meeting on the 26th will be at Dryden Elementary School. The public is invited to attend. For more information, go to dryden.k12.ny.us.