Women's Soccer Sits Atop SLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll
ST. LOUIS, Mo.—The Fontbonne University women’s soccer team, who are the defending SLIAC Regular Season and Tournament Champions, are picked to finish first in the SLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll.
ST. LOUIS, Mo.—The Fontbonne University women's soccer team, who are the defending SLIAC Regular Season and Tournament Champions, are picked to finish first in the SLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Griffins totaled 46 points and four first-place votes edging out Webster with 44 points and four first-place votes. Greenville stands in third with 36 points, while Westminster follows in fourth with 31 points.
In 2021, Fontbonne (15-3-2; 12-0-2 SLIAC) set a program record with 12 conference wins, are the first team in program history to go unbeaten in conference play, and won its first SLIAC Championship for the first time since 1996. The Griffins advanced to the NCAA Tournament facing Loras, but fell 1-0 ending its season.
This year, head coach Dylan Cassidy, who's a two-time SLIAC Coach of the Year, brings back five SLIAC All-Conference selections in Caroline Neal (First Team), Krystal Kohenskey (Second Team), Caitlyn Smith (Second Team), Mary Beers (Second Team) and Libby Bateman (Third Team).
Neal finished second on the Griffins last season with 10 goals and three assists for 23 points. Neal currently is seventh all-time at Fontbonne with 33 goals and fifth in points (59).
Kohenskey tied her career-high with seven goals and set a new career-best with 14 assists which placed her second overall in a single-season at Fontbonne. She's third all-time with 27 assists needing just 10 to become the all-time leader at Fontbonne.
Smith, a Fenton, Mo., native, tallied three goals and five assists a season ago, while Beers returns after posting a 0.72 goals against average, tallied a career-high 14 wins and a single-season record 10 shutouts in net. She's the all-time leader at Fontbonne with 24 career shutouts. Bateman returns after starting 18 games last year totaling one goal and one assist.
In all, the Griffins bring back 13 to the roster and welcome in 13 newcomers that look for another repeat of the 2021 campaign.
The Griffins get its 2022 season underway next Thursday at Missouri Baptist. Kick-off at 7 p.m.
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.
Make sure to follow the women's soccer team on all its social media accounts: Twitter (@fbuwsoccer), Instagram (@fbuwsoccer) and Facebook (/FontbonneUGriffins).