Women's soccer season preview: Defense
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite the loss of a four-year starter between the pipes, the return of seniors Brigitte Donaghy (Toronto, Ontario) and Amber Thomas (Rochester, N.Y.) give the Bryant University women's soccer team a lot to look forward to on defense this season.
This is the third part of a three-part season preview for the Bryant women's soccer team. BryantBulldogs.com previewed the forwards on Monday and the midfield on Tuesday.
The Bulldogs are coming off an outstanding defensive season in which they posted seven shutouts and allowed just eight goals in eight league games. Bryant, however, will have to replace Kaylan Conrad, a four-year starter in net who made 60 career starts. Donaghy and Thomas will be asked to lead an experienced but youthful group this season.
"The backs and goalkeepers have gelled nicely throughout the preseason, allowing just one goal in the three scrimmages," head coach Andy Biggs said. "Their communication improves day by day, and we look forward to their tough, committed defending, as well as their contributions to our attack."
Donaghy started all 18 games for the Black and Gold last season and has appeared in all but two in her three-year career. A ball hawk, Donaghy proved herself to be a shutdown defender last season and will be the backbone of Bryant's defense this fall.
An outside back, Thomas is an outstanding defender but has also shown an ability to carry the ball and make plays. She is coming off an All-NEC Second Team performance as a junior, one in which she started all 18 games for the Bulldogs.
Joining Donaghy and Thomas will be joined by fellow classmate Kristen O'Connor (Beverly, Mass.), juniors Katie Nugent (Newton, Mass.) and Cayla D'Amico (Grafton, Mass.), sophomores Jaden McCarthy (Smithfield, R.I.), Ailene Berry (Burlington, Conn.) and Caitlyn Linden (Newtown, Conn.) and freshmen Jamie Irwin (Succasunna, N.J.), Emily Gordon (Grafton, Mass.) and Becca Michaud (Westport, Mass.).
After playing in all 19 games as a freshman in 2014, O'Connor returned from injury last fall to play in 13 contests. Nugent and D'Amico appeared in 14 and 17 games, respectively, with D'Amico scoring a goal on five shots.
Bryant hopes that its sophomore group continues to improve after a strong showing as rookies. Linden made 15 starts last season, registering three points, while McCarthy played in 11 games and posted a game-winning goal.
As for the incoming freshmen, the Black and Gold hope that Irwin, Gordon, and Michaud can contribute early on. Irwin was the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Year as a senior, Gordon was league MVP and All-State as a senior and Michaud was a member of the NEFC Breakers club team that won the Massachusetts State Cup.
In goal, the Bulldogs will feature a pair of seniors and a freshman. Rachel Brightman (Rochester, N.Y.) and Caitlin Lodi (Peabody, Mass.) bring experience to the position, with Brightman having posted a .708 save percentage in five starts during the 2015 season. Lodi, on the other hand, has appeared in just two games during her career.
Freshman Meghan Dalton (West Hartford, Conn.) comes to Bryant after a standout senior season at Kingswood Oxford School saw her post seven shutouts and surrender just 14 goals.