2021 Women's Soccer Season Preview

Smithfield, R.I. - The Bryant University women's soccer team will begin the 2021 season on Thursday against Binghamton at four o'clock on the Bulldog Soccer Field.

This year fans will be allowed to attend all Bryant home games. Last season the Bulldogs finished with a 3-5 overall record and were 3-4 in Northeast Conference play. This year one of the Bulldogs' strengths will be having a mix of experience and youth on the roster.

"The strength of our team is the balance between experience and youth," head coach Andy Biggs said. "The upperclassmen have returned to school in a good way and the first-year players are excited to be here. Both groups bring a lot of athletic ability, soccer ability, and a good understanding of the game."

Defense

The defense continued to be a strength for the Black and Gold as it has been for the last three seasons. For the third year in a row Bryant ranked top four in goals allowed, goals against average, saves, and shutouts in the NEC. The defense will look different this year as both Meghan Dalton and Jamie Irwin graduated in 2021. This season the Bulldogs will have three goalies on the roster, sophomore Kathryn McNeil, graduate transfer Jillian Zinkus, and junior Jessica Rinaldi, who made her first career appearance last year against Providence making five saves. The defense is anchored by captain Kellie Errasti, who made the All-NEC Second Team in 2020. Errasti is joined by senior Chae Diani, juniors Melissa Reef, Lucy Smith, and Katrina Stangl, and sophomores Nina Singer and Makayla Griffin. Griffin was named to the NEC All-Rookie team last season. The defense played a cumulative total of 58 games in the previous year.

Midfield

The midfield will be led by senior captain Eleni Spiratos and classmate Corinne Rey. The duo played in 12 games last season. Junior Vanessa Majer, who scored her first career goal against Fairleigh Dickinson last year, also returns. Sophomores Rebecca Rocker and Alivia Gallardo are also back and both played in all eight games for the Bulldogs.

Forwards

Katie Cronin and Abbey Rocker are both returning for a fifth year with the Black and Gold. They will be accompanied by senior Lexi Kraemer, junior Madeline Labance, and sophomore Sofia Cassano. Last year Kraemer, and Labance found the back of the net and Cronin dished out an assist.

Freshmen

This year the Bulldogs added eight freshmen to the 2021 roster. The incoming freshmen class includes Catherine Bean, Samantha Breton, Jordyn Collins, Hailey Koons, Emma Pedolzky, Hailey Pereira, Rachel Roman, and Carly Warn.