College Soccer News 2021 Preseason Top 30 Women’s College Soccer national Poll.

the college soccer news preseason poll is based on a combination of factors including returning talent, experience, and the projected impact of newcomers. performance during the 2020-2021 season is also a factor.

the preseason poll is a starting point. college soccer news will issue a weekly Women’s Top 30 poll throughout the season and a final season ending poll at the conclusion of the ncaa tournament.

Rank Name	Overview
#1 Santa Clara	RS senior All-American forward Kelsey Turnbow (10g, 4a), junior midfielder Izzy D’Aquila (8g, 3a), a 2020 All-WCC First Team selection, and sophomore forward Sally Menti (2g, 6a) return to give the defending national champions plenty of offensive firepower. All-American back redshirt senior Alex Loera, the 2020 WCC Defender of the Year, and redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Marlee Nicolos who had a 0.78 goals against average return to anchor a Santa Clara defense that only allowed a total of nine goals last year.
#2 Florida State	The Seminoles will be loaded with talent and experience again in 2021. A Seminole midfield that includes senior holding midfielder Jaelin Howell (5g, 2a), the 2020 MAC Hermann Trophy winner, senior All-American Yujie Zhao (3g, 5a), and redshirt senior Clara Robbins (6g, 6a) among others will be among the best, if not the best, in the country. All American center back Emily Madril (2g, 0a) and super sophomore netminder Cristina Roque who had a 0.48 goals against average in 2020 will be rock solid.
#3 North Carolina	The Tar Heels are coming off an 18-2-0 season during which they advanced to the College Cup for the 30th time. This is a program that annually reloads rather than rebuilds. Nonetheless UNC will enter the 2021 season with some big shoes to fill due to the departure of that All-American and three-time All-ACC First Team selection Brianna Pinto (14g, 5a). Forwards senior Rachel Jones (6g, 6a) and junior Isabel Cox (4g, 4a) and sophomores midfielder Talla Dellaperuta (5g, 2a) and Sam Meza (2g, 5a)are among the returning players who will fill the void. Junior back Maycee Bell, an All-ACC First Team selection and senior goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, an All-ACC First Team selection who posted 15 shutouts last year, return to to anchor the defense. The Tar Heels open the season with matches at home against Washington and Arkansas.
#4 Virginia	Sophomore All-American midfielder Lia Godfrey (4g, 9a) who was the 2020 ACC Freshman of the Year and forwards senior Alex Spaanstra (10g, 2a), an All-ACC First Team selection, and junior Dianna Ordonez (12g, 5a), an All-ACC Second Team member, return to power an explosive offense that got even stronger with the addition of All-American transfer graduate student Haley Hopkins who had 34 career goals during her tenure at Vanderbilt. Graduate student Lizzy Sieracki returns in goal to anchor what should be a very solid Virginia defense. The Cavaliers will be tested when they travel to Morgantown to face West Virginia on August 22.
#5 Duke	Duke returns a solid mix of contributing players including nine starters from the 2020 team that was 12-5-4 and advanced to the Elite Eight where they came out on the short end of a penalty kick shootout with FSU. Graduate students Tess Bode (6g, 3a) and Lily Nabet, senior Sydney Simmons, junior All-American Sophie Jones (3g, 3a) and sophomore Maggie Graham (2g, 1a) return to give Duke head coach Robbie Church a deep and robust group of midfielders to work with. Senior Mackenzie Pluck (1g, 5a) and sophomore Olivia Migli (6g, 0a) add to the attack up-top. The backline will miss the presence of stalwart Taylor Mitchell, a four-year starter, and Mia Gyau (1g, 3a) However, the good news is that an experienced group of defenders return led by graduate student Caitlin Cosem (6g, 1a) and senior Delaney Graham (2g, 5a). Sophomore Emily Royson (0g, 2a) and Katie Groff are among other backs who will be in the mix. Junior Ruthie Jones who had a 0.70 gaa last year with ten shutouts returns in goal. Duke opens the season with tough contests at home against Arkansas and Washington.
#6 UCLA	The defending Pac-12 Champions return eight starters from the 2020 team that was 13-1-3 with a 9-1-1 mark in Pac-12 play. Senior All-American Lauren Brzykcy, the 2020 Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year, returns on the defensive side of the ball along with senior backs Lauren Brzykcy, a four-year starter, and junior Bianne Riley. Forwards sophomore Reilyn Turner (11g, 5a), the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, junior All-American Mia Fishel (6g, 6a) and redshirt sophomore Sunshine Fontes (5g, 3a) return to give the Bruins a multi-dimensional attack up-top. Graduate student Marley Canales (4g, 6a) will add balance to the offense in the midfield.
#7 TCU	The Horned Frogs enter the 2021 season with their sights set on building on an impressive 2020 campaign during which they were 12-2-2 overall and advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time. The prognosis for continued success is favorable with nine starters back along with several transfers who could contribute immediately. What is not so good is that the two starters who are not returning are All-American goalkeeper Emily Alvardo, a three-year starter, and All-American midfielder Yazmeen Ryan Ryan who was a four-year starter and three-time All-Big 12 First Team selection. On the plus side, All-American forward Grace Collins (8g, 2a), the 2020 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, returns along with senior forward Messiah Bright (4g, 1a), a 2020 All Big 12 Second Team selection. Senior Payton Crews (1g, 4a), juniors Michelle Slater (1g, 1a) and Gracie Brian (1g, 6a) and sophomore Olivia Hasler (2g, 0a) are among returning midfielders. The backline will be tenacious with seniors Brandi Peterson (1g, 1a), a 2020 All-Big 12 First Team member, and Chaylyn Hubbard, graduate student Tijana Duricek (1g, 0a) and sophomore Marz Akins all back in Fort Worth.
#8 Clemson	The Tigers are coming off a banner 2020 season in which they were 13-5-1 and advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2006. All-American sophomore midfielder Megan Burnkamp (08g, 1a) and forwards junior Maliah Morris (6g, 5a) and senior Courtney Jones (1g, 2a), who missed a portion of the spring 2021 season due to injury, are all very capable playmakers. Junior Hal Hershfelt (2g, 2a) is back to help set the pace in the midfield. The backline which includes sophomore Makenna Morris and senior Renee Guion (2g, 4a) among others will be deep and experienced. Senior Hensley Hancuff, who had a 0.79 gaa in 2020, returns to give Clemson an extremely capable and composed shot stopper between the pipes.
#9 Texas A and M	A young Texas A and M team was 12-4-1 last season and advanced to the Elite Eight where they were topped 1-0 by North Carolina. All-Americans defender Jimena Lopez (3g, 4a) and midfielder Addie McCain (5g, 2a) left to enter the professional ranks at the conclusion of the fall 2020 season. That resulted in additional minutes during the spring 2021 season for several young Aggie players that should benefit Texas A and M in the upcoming 2021 season. Sophomore forwards Barbara Olivieri (8g, 5a), Laney Carroll (3g, 3a) and Lauren Geczik (2g, 2a) and sophomore midfielder Taylor Pounds (2g, 1a) are among the returning players who will play a key role on the offensive side of the ball in 2021. Forward Makhiya McDonald is among the newcomers who have the potential to add to the attack. All-American junior Karlina Sample returns to anchor the backline along with junior Katie Smith and sophomore Sawyer Dumond. Juniors Kenna Caldwell and Shantel Hutton and senior Jordan Burbank return in goal. Opportunity knocks early for the Aggies with season opening contests on the road against FSU and TCU.
#10 Penn State	Ten starters are back from the 2020 squad that was 12-3-1, won the Big East regular season title, and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen where they were topped by FSU 3-1. The lone departing starter, All-American midfielder and four-year starter Frankie Tagliaferri (10g, 9a), will not be easy to replace. However, with so many experienced playmakers returning there should not be a significant drop-off. Redshirt junior All-American Ally Schlegel (11g, 6a), the 2020 Big Ten Forward of the Year, is back to wreck havoc on opposing defenders. She will be joined up-top by junior Payton Linnehan (5g, 7a), a 2020 All-Big Ten Second Team member. Senior All-American Sam Coffey (6g, 12a), the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, and senior midfielder Rachel Wasserman (2g, 6a) will add another dimension to the attack. Redshirt junior Katherine Asman returns in goal with the benefit of a year of starting experience under her belt. Center backs senior captain Kerry Abello and sophomore Eva Alonso return to anchor the backline along with redshirt junior Maddie Myers and sophomore Ellie Wheeler who may also see action up top. Graduate student transfer midfielder Jill Jennings is among the newcomers who will contribute immediately.
#11 Georgetown	Eight starters are back and a solid contingent of supporting players from the 2020 team that was 12-0-2 overall with a 9-0-1 mark in Big East play. The 2020 Big East Champions who advanced to the Sweet Sixteen averaged 2.29 goals per game with a nation’s best 0.275 goals against average. Junior forward Gia Vicari (10g, 4a) and midfielders All-American junior Julia Leas (3g, 1a), graduate student Daisey Cleverley (2g, 1a), the Big East Midfielder of the Year, and senior Maya Fernandes-Powell (3g, 1a) look to be among those who Dave Nolan will look to for offensive punch in 2021. All-American graduate student Kelly Ann Livingstone (1g, 0a) returns to anchor a rock solid backline along with graduate student Kaitland Parcell (1g, 3a), and seniors Jenna Royson and Charlie Kern. The departure of goalkeepers Alyssa Navarrette and Lauren Gallagher leaves a void to fill. Transfers graduate student defender Sydney Cummings, an All-American at Brown and junior goalkeeper Allie Augur, the starting netminder at Boston College, are solid additions.
#12 West Virginia	The Mountaineers return ten starters from the 2020 team that was 10-3-1 overall with a 7-2-0 mark in Big 12 Conference play. The lone departure is 2020 All-Big 12 First Team midfielder Stefany Ferrer-vanGinkel (6g, 3a) who entered the professional ranks. Senior forwards Alina Stahl (6g, 2a), a 2020 All Big 12 First Team selection, and Lauren Segalla (2g, 5a), a 2020 All-Big 12 Second Team member are among returning players who should play a prominent role in the offense in 2021. Senior midfielder Isabella Sibley (3g, 3a) is among others who Nikki Izzo-Brown will likely look to for offensive productivity. Senior All-American back Jordan Brewster (1g, 2a), the 2020 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and junior goalkeeper Kayza Massey who posted a 0.88 goals against average last year will anchor what looks to be a solid West Virginia defense.
#13 Arkansas	The Razorbacks are primed to build on a very successful 2020 season in which they were 12-4-0 with a 7-1-0 mark in Southeastern Conference play. Forwards senior Parker Goins (8g, 3a), junior Anna Podojil (7g, 10a) and sophomore Ava Tankersley (4g, 3a) return to lead the attack up-top. Seniors Taylor Malham (2g, 5a) and Kayla McKeon (6g, 3a) are part of a very talented and deep midfield. Senior goalkeeper Hannah Warner and senior All-American back Haley Van Fossen (0g, 4a) will anchor the defense. Transfers defender Cora Duininck from Liberty and midfielder Ava Benedetti from Seattle should contribute immediately.
#14 Oklahoma State	The Cougars return nine starters from the 2020 team that was 13-3-2 and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. Senior midfielder Grace Yochum (12g, 3a) who netted eight game-winners last year and forwards junior Olyvia Dowell (12g, 7a) and fifth year senior Gabriella Coleman (9g, 3a) provide plenty of returning offensive firepower. All-American fifth year senior Kim Rodriguez and fifth year senior Charme Morgan return in the back. Sophomore Amber Lockwood looks to be in line to take over the starting goalkeeper role that is vacant due to the departure of Emily Plotz.
#15 Washington	Nicole Van Dyke had a very successful first season as the head coach at Washington. The Huskies were 10-4-4 overall, finished in third place in the highly competitive Pac-12 conference, and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2014. All-American senior forward Summer Yates (4g, 4a) and midfielders Ameera Hussen (5g, 1a), an All-Pac12 First Team selection, and Olivia Van Der Jagt (2g, 3a) look to be the headliners on the offensive side of the ball. Some reloading will be required on the defensive side due to the departure of back Kaylene Pane who was a three-year starter. Redshirt senior Olivia Sekany who had a 0.62 goals against average with eight shutouts returns in goal. The Huskies open the 2021 season with challenging contests on the road against North Carolina and Duke.
#16 Rice	The Owls under the direction of head coach Brian Lee will seek to continue their upward progression in 2021after a 2020 season in which they secured a program record 14 wins, won the CUSA Championship, and earned the program’s first ever NCAA Tournament win. Junior attacking midfielder Delaney Schultz (5g, 8a), a 2020 All-CUSA Second Team selection, and sophomore Mikala Furuto (6g, 4a) return to power the attack along with forwards Natalie Gorji (3g, 1a) and Vyviene Spaulding. All-American senior Mijke Roelfsema, the 2020 Co-CUSA Defensive Player of the Year, senior Caleigh Page and junior Caleigh Boeckx are among returning defenders. Junior Bella Killgore, the 2020 CUSA Goalkeeper of the Year who posted 11 shutouts and a 0.71 gaa, returns to anchor what looks to again be a very solid Rice defense. Much will hinge on the extent to which the experience the younger players gained last year results in a bump in the level of their play in 2021.
#17 South Carolina	The Gamecocks will be without All-American defender Anna Patten (1g, 2a) who departed to enter the professional ranks at the end of the fall 2020 season. However every starter from the 2021 spring season is slated to return along with a solid contingent of players who gained valuable minutes and a couple of players whose 2020 season was cut short due to injuries. Sophomores Catherine Barry (6g, 4a) and Corinna Zullo (5g, 0a) and graduate student Ryan Gareis (2g, 4a) return up-top. The midfield looks solid with senior Jyllissa Harris (4g, 2a), a 2020 All-SEC First Team selection, graduate student Lauren Chang (2g, 5a), a 2020 All-SEC selection, redshirt junior Samantha Chang (2g, 1a), redshirt senior Claire Griffiths (0g, 1a) and sophomore Rylee Foster returning. Graduate student Sarah Eskew, a three-year starter who was injured during the fall returns in the back along with junior Camryn Dixon, sophomore Hallie Meadows (0g, 1a) and senior Sutton Jones (3g, 0a). Junior Heather Hinz and sophomore Taylor Fox return in goal. South Carolina’s season ended last year when they were topped 1-0 by Georgetown in second round of the NCAA Tournament.
#18 BYU	The Cougars return a multi-dimensional attack powered by All-American midfielder Mikayla Colohan (11g, 5a) who was the 2020 WCC Player of the Year and forwards Cameron Tucker (8g, 8a) and Rachel McCarthy (9g, 7a). Senior Cassidy Smith returns in goal to anchor the defense.
#19 South Florida	Ten starters return from the 2020 team that was 10-1-2 overall with a 6-0-1 mark in AAC play. Junior All-American forward Sydny Nasello (6g, 5a) returns to power the attack along with senior midfielder Paula Leblic (5g, 3a). Sophomore Chiara Hahn (1g, 0a), an All-AAC First Team selection, returns to set the pace in the midfield. The defense should be rock solid. All-American junior goalkeeper Sydney Martinez, the 2020 AAC Goalkeeper of the Year with a 0.45 goals against average, and backs senior Chyanne Dennis, the AAC Co-Defender of the Year, sophomore Vivianne Bassette, an All-AAC First Team member, senior Sabrina Wagner and sophomore Lucy Roberts all return.
#20 Saint Louis	There is a lot to like about Saint Louis heading into the 2021 season. All 11 starters return from the 2020 squad that was 15-1-1 with a perfect 8-0-0 mark in Atlantic 10 play. Senior Hannah Friedrich (4g, 14a), the A-10 Offensive Player of the Year, senior Emily Groak (7g, 2a) and sophomore Caroline Kelly (1g, 0a) return up-top. Juniors Abbie Miller (8g, 4a), the A-10 Midfielder of the Year, Karsen Kohl (1g, 1a), and Anna Walsh (2g, 5a) and sophomore Jess Preusser (2g, 1a) are among a solid contingent of returning midfielders. Redshirt senior Brionna Halverson, sophomores Lyndsey Heckel (2g, 1a) and Sophoa Stram (3g, 2a) and junior Sydney Beach (0g, 2a) return in the back. Sophomore Emily Puricelli, the A-10 Defensive Player of the Year with a 0.51 goals against average, returns between the pipes to anchor the defense.
#21 Southern California	The Trojans have some gaps to fill due to the loss of the likes of forward Tara McKeown (8g, 8a) and center back Samantha Bruder but the cupboard is never bare at USC. Southern California is coming off an abbreviated 2020 season during which they were 7-3-4 overall with a 6-3-2 mark in conference play. Senior All-American forward Penelope Hocking (10g, 3a), junior midfielder Croix Bethune (3g, 5a) and redshirt senior Savannah DeMelo (0g, 6a) are among returning players who will add punch to the offense. Redshirt senior forward Jada Talley who transfers in from Arizona where she contributed 24 goals and 16 assists during four seasons will add another dimension to the attack. Senior holding midfielder Lilly Perryman (1g, 3a) and junior back Kaylin Martin will be key ingredients on the defensive side of the ball.
#22 Vanderbilt	The defending SEC Tournament champions return nine starters from the 2020 team that was 9-6-1 and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season. The Commodores have big shoes to fill due to the departure of All-American forward Haley Hopkins who was Vanderbilt’s top goal scorer for three seasons and midfielder Leila Azari who was a four-year starter with 7 career goals and 22 career assists. Midfielders senior Raegan Kelley (5g, 0a), sophomore Abi Brighton (3g, 2a) and graduate student Madison Elwell (2g, 4a) are among returning players who head coach Darren Ambrose will likely count on for offensive firepower. Graduate students Myra Konte (2g, 1a) and Madiya Harriott (0g, 2a) and junior Maya Antoine return in the back. Sophomore defender Ava Hetzel who transfers in from Arizona has the potential to contribute immediately. Junior Sophie Guilmette and sophomore Katie Devine return in goal.
#23 Denver	Eight starters including six All-Summit League selections return from the 2020 squad that was 17-3-1 overall, won both the Summit League regular season and tournament titles, and advanced past Loyola Chicago in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before falling 2-0 to North Carolina in the second round. Forwards senior Natalie Beckman (1g, 12a), the 2020 Summit League Offensive Player of the Year, senior Sami Feller (9g, 9a), a Summit League First Team selection, and junior Sydney Sharp (7g, 4a) return up-top to give the Pioneers a multi-dimensional attack. Junior Kaitlyn Glover (5g, 4a) and graduate student Brittney Lewis (0g, 2a) who were All-Summit League Second Team members return in the midfield. Graduate student Taylor Parker (0g, 2a), a First Team All-Summit League selection, senior Chaynee Kingsbury (0g, 1a) and senior Devan McSwain, an All-Summit League Second Team selection, give Denver a solid nucleus of returning defenders. Redshirt junior Nerea Arrazola who played every minute in goal last year with a 0.56 goals against average will anchor the defense.
#24 Mississippi	Ole Miss is coming off a 10-6-2 season during which they advanced past Bowling Green and Southern California in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Duke 1-0 in the Sweet Sixteen. Every starter from the 2020 spring season along with a strong supporting cast are slated to return. Fifth year senior Madisyn Pezzino (3g, 2a) and Juniors Mo O’Connor (4g, 3a) and Saydie Holland (2g, 0a) are among returning forwards. The midfield looks to be a team strength with the return of fifth year seniors Channing Foster (5g, 2a), a multi-year All-SEC First Team member and four-year starter, and Molly Martin (2g, 3a), senior playmaker Haleigh Stackpole (4g, 8a), a three-year starter, and junior Jenna Kemp (2g, 0a). Senior stalwart Sydney Michalak, junior Taylor Radecki and super sophomores Price Loposer and Lucy Green return to give the Rebels a very experienced backline. Senior All-American Ashley Orkus, the 2020 SEC Goalkeeper of the Year with a 0.96 goals against average last year, returns to give Ole Miss a very talented and composed shot stopper in goal.
#25 Stanford	The 2019 National Champions had a rare down year in 2020 with a 6-6-2 overall record and 5-4-1 mark in Pac-12 play that kept them out of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 22 years. With All-American forward Madison Haley set to return in 2021 after being hampered with injury in 2020 and All-American defender Naomi Girma set to return after missing the 2020 season due to injury the chances are pretty good that the Cardinal will rebound in 2021. Nine starters including junior midfielder midfielder Maya Doms (2g, 0a), junior defender Sierra Enge (1g, 2a) and redshirt junior goalkeeper Katie Meyer are slated to return along with several younger players like current sophomores forward Samantha Williams (4g, 1a) and midfielder Amy Sayer (0g, 1a) who now have the benefit of a year of experience under their belts. The departure of defender Kiki Pickett (1g, 0a), the 2020 Pac-12 Defender of the Year, does creates a big void to fill. Stanford will have the opportunity to settle in and create a little momentum with season opening contests against Cal Poly, CSUN and San Diego State before traveling east to tangle with Duke in Durham and North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
#26 Rutgers	A solid core of players return from the 2020 team that was 9-3-4 overall with a 6-2-3 mark in Big Ten play. The Scarlet Knights advanced past Southeastern Louisiana in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before their season came to an end in the second round when they were topped by Clemson in a match that was determined by a penalty kick shootout. Senior All-American Ali Amirah (7g, 1a) returns up top along with sophomore Sam Kroeger (1g, 3a). The addition of All-American transfer midfielder Frankie Tagliaferri who was a four-year starter at Penn State adds yet another dimension to the attack. Sophomores Becci Fluchel (0g, 3a) and Sara Broncious (1g. 3a) are among returning midfielders. Senior Gabby Provenzano (1g, 1a), an All-Big Ten First Team selection and three-year starter, returns to anchor the backline, Junior Allison Lynch (0g, 1a), a two-year starter, senior Shea Holland, a three-year starter, and sophomore Emma Misal (0g, 1a) round out a very solid backline. Senior Megan McClelland, a 2020 All-Big Ten Second Team member and three-year starter, returns to anchor the defense in goal.
#27 Ohio State	Ten starters return from the 2020 team that was 8-3-3 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Senior Kayla Fischer (5g, 4a), a 2020 All-Big Ten First Team selection, and junior Emma Sears (7g, 3a), a 2020 All-Big Ten Second Team member, will add punch to the Buckeye offense up top. Sophomore Peyton McNamara (6g, 3a), the 2020 Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year, graduate student Maddy Lowe, junior Brittany Duncan (0g, 5a) and sophomores Kine Flotre (3g, 1a) and Christin Baumbick (0g, 1a) are among a deep contingent of returning midfielders. All-American senior defender Izzy Rodriguez (1g, 1a), a talented four-year starter, returns to anchor the backline along with senior Talani Barnett. Fifth-year senior Bailey Kolinski, a two year starter with a 1.11 2020 goals against average, returns between the pipes.
#28 Arizona State	With the entire starting lineup slated to return, the Sun Devils are well positioned to build on the 2020 season in which they advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, were 9-6-2 overall, and had a 4-4-2 mark in Pac-12 play. Senior forward Nicole Douglas (10g, 3a), a 2020 All-Pac 12 Second Team member, is back to power the offense up top. Seniors Alexia Delgado (1g, 7a), Olivia Nguyen (4g, 5a), Eva Van Deursen (2g, 2a) and sophomore Jazmine Wilkinson (2g, 2a), a Pac-12 All-Freshman selection, are among a talented and experienced group of Arizona State midfielders. Graduate student Jessica Hale, senior Cori Sullivan (2g, 0a) and juniors Lieske Carleer, a 2020 All-Pac 12 Second Team member, and Callie Darst, sophomore Lucy Johnson (1g, 3a) and freshman Tahlia Herman-Watt are among a deep contingent of returning defenders. Junior Giulia Cascapera, a two year starter with a 2020 goals against average of 1.11, returns to give the Sun Devils an experienced and talented presence between the pipes.
#29 Butler	Ten starters return from the 2020 team that was 10-2-0 with a 6-1-0 mark in Big East play. Baylor should be tenacious on the defensive side of the ball with backs redshirt senior Amanda Kowalski, graduate student Julie Leonard, and sophomore Caitlin O’Malley returning along with graduate student goalkeeper Stephanie Rodriguez who was a 2020 All-Big East selection with a 2020 goals against average of 0.74. All-American senior midfielder Katie Soderstrom (6g, 5a), and redshirt senior forward Anastasia Savich (9g, 1a), a 2020 All-Big East First Team selection, return to power the attack.
#30 Hofstra	The Pride returns ten starters from the 2020 team that was 7-1-1 with a 3-0-1 mark in CAA play. The lone departure, forward Sabrina Bryan (7g, 11a) who was the 2020 CAA Attacking Player of the Year, leaves a void to fill on the offensive side of the ball. All-American midfielder senior Lucy Porter (10g, 4a), fifth year senior forward Lucy Sheppard (4g, 2a) and senior midfielder Jordan Littleboy (1g, 6a) are among returning players who coach Simon Riddiough will count on for offensive productivity. Junior goalkeeper Skylar Kuzmich and junior back Anja Suttner are among a solid contingent of experienced players on the defensive side of the ball. Hofstra should be a hungry team after their 2020 season ended earlier than expected when they were upset 1-0 by Elon in the semifinals of the CAA Tournament.