2022 Women's Soccer Season Preview

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Bryant University women's soccer team will begin the 2022 season on Thursday with a road matchup against Saint Peters.

This will be the first season that the Bulldogs will be a part of the America East Conference.

Forwards

Last season forwards for the Black and Gold accounted for 45 of the Bulldog's 63 points. Catherine Bean returns for her sophomore year after producing the best offensive season in DI program history. Bean tallied 20 points on seven goals and six assists and was named to the All-NEC second and rookie teams. Classmate Jordyn Collins, who had two goals and two assists, was also named to the All-NEC rookie team last season. Madeline Labance, Sofia Cassano, and Carly Warn, who combined for 38 games played and 15 starts, will also return to the team.

Midfielders

Sophomores Emma Pedolzky and Rachel Roman will lead the way for the midfielders. Pedolkzy started all 18 games and was named to the All-NEC second and rookie teams. She tallied five assists and four goals. Roman received All-rookie honors while making 14 starts and recording one assist. The sophomore duo will be joined by senior Vannesa Majer, returning from injury, junior Rebecca Rocker, and classmates Hailey Koons and Hailey Pereira, who all played 34 games last year.

Defenders

The defense will be led by captains Chae Diani and Kelli Errasti, returning for their fifth year. The captains, plus Nina Singer, Makayla Griffin, Samantha Breton, Lucy Smith, and Melissa Reef, played in a combined 91 games. Last season the defense recorded six shutouts.

Goaltenders

Kathryn McNeil and Jessica Rinaldi played in 22 games while making 18 starts for the Bulldogs in 2021. McNeil had a breakout year, earning All-NEC second team honors and producing six shutouts with a save percentage of .797.

Newcomers

The Black and Gold will have nine new players this season. Junior transfer Anna Carson from Penn State, sophomore transfer Jordyn Ferraro from Hartford, freshman Madison Luke, Ava Melia, Nina Muir, Selena Negron, Jennah Quill, Emily Supple, and Zoe Wood.