By: Ryan Henry
KENNESAW, Ga. – In head coach
Chris Cahill's second year under the helm, the Kennesaw State women's soccer team was picked to finish eighth with 47 points in the Conference USA Coaches' Preseason Poll, the league office announced Thursday.
In KSU's inaugural season in the CUSA, the Owls finished seventh in the standings (2-4-3), three spots ahead of their preseason projections. Last year was highlighted by their 3-0 victory over the eventual conference champions, FIU. Following that match, forward
Tianna Rivera and goalkeeper
Charlee Bernal made history, becoming the program's first CUSA Player of the Week and Goalkeeper of the Week.
The Black and Gold return seven regular starters from the previous season: Bernal,
Aly Bryan,
Delaney Edwards,
Naomi Moleka,
Alana Nesbit,
Anabel Orozco and
Mai Jensen, who will look to build upon the progress made in 2024.
Coach Cahill brought in eight newcomers, two transfers (
Rebecca Womer – Georgia and
Sydni Whitehead – Bellarmine) and six freshmen (
Courtney Allen,
Julia Balchen,
Aubrey Diskin,
Anna Economopoulos,
Sara Hill and
Caroline Shaw) to reinforce the lineup.
KSU is sandwiched in between newly minted Delaware (54 points) and Western Kentucky (39). This year's preseason favorite is Liberty who received 119 points and nine first-place votes. The Flames won a share of the CUSA regular season title last season before falling to FIU in the title match.
The Owls open their season on Thursday at Coastal Carolina. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
2025 Conference USA Preseason Women's Soccer Coaches' Poll
Rank School (first-place votes) Points
- Liberty (9) 119
- FIU (2) 109
- Missouri State (1) 100
- NM State 94
- MTSU 82
- Sam Houston 64
- Delaware 54
- Kennesaw State 47
- WKU 39
- LA Tech 30
- T11. Jax State 27
- T11. UTEP 27
2025 Conference USA Women's Soccer Preseason Team
GK: Valery Restrepo, FIU
D: Sallie Garner, Liberty
D: Lauren Littleton, Liberty
D: Jena Johannes, NM State
D: Ashlyn Neireiter, UTEP
MF: Elise Graf, Liberty
MF: Gabby Miranda, Liberty
MF: Jasmine Marquez, Sam Houston
F: Halle Engle, Liberty
F: Ivy Garner, Liberty
F: Avery Paulson, Liberty
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