Fontbonne Women's Soccer Claims Top Spot In SLIAC Preseason Poll

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) released its 2021 Women's Soccer Preseason Poll and the Griffins hold the top spot this year.

Fontbonne grabbed five first place votes and 49 total points. The Webster Gorloks were picked to finish second with 34 points and a first place vote, while Westminster followed with a first place vote and 34 points.

The Griffins are coming off a memorable 2020-21 season going 11-1 and an unbeaten 9-0 in conference play. Head Coach Dylan Cassidy was named SLIAC Coach of the Year, while Mary Beers and Molly Kovarik took home SLIAC Defensive and Offensive Player of the Year honors, respectively.

The Griffins had 10 players named to the SLIAC All-Conference Team and a program record six making the First Team. They finished the year ranked No. 20 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll for the first time in program history.

This year, the Griffins welcome back 10 of the 11 players that accounted for 44 of the 45 goals in 12 games. Kovarik, a Festus, Mo., native, ended with 10 goals a season ago giving her 36 in her career. The senior forward needs 13 more to become the all-time leader at Fontbonne.

Krystal Kohenskey made quite the impact in her first season at Fontbonne totaling seven goals and tying for first in the nation with 13 assists for a team-high 27 points. Caitlyn Smith added six goals and three assists, while Caroline Neal and Kierstyn Weaver had five goals apiece.

Defensively, the Griffins bring back its entire back line that allowed just three goals and 49 shots. In net, Beers looks to build off her career season after tying the program record with nine shutouts and earned a single-season record with a .26 goals against average.

The Griffins get its regular season underway next Saturday at home when they'll host preseason No. 4 ranked WashU. Kick-off at 7 p.m.

To view the entire SLIAC Preseason Poll visit HERE.

About Fontbonne University

Fontbonne University is a private, Catholic liberal arts university located in St. Louis, committed to a transformative education and inspiring students to become global citizens who think critically, act ethically and serve responsibly. The university, founded in 1923, is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. For more information, visit www.fontbonne.edu.

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