The Saint Joseph's women's soccer team is set to open its challenging 2023 schedule with a pair of games in the season's opening week. The Hawks start their year on the road at Bucknell on Thursday at 7 p.m., then return to Hawk Hill to host William & Mary on Sunday, August 20 at 1 p.m. at Sweeney Field.
After advancing to the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Championship for the second consecutive year in 2022, head coach
Jess Mannella has the Hawks poised to take the next step this season. Backed by a talented lineup of 14 returning letterwinners - including seven starters - and 11 newcomers, Saint Joseph's is set to improve upon its A-10 preseason prediction of sixth place, and capture the program's first A-10 title and NCAA Tournament bid.
Named to the A-10 All-Championship Team a season ago, senior
Katie Cappelletti has proven to be one of the top keepers in the league. Coming off seven shutouts and a 0.741 save percentage, Cappelletti will anchor the Hawks in net, while rookie
Bella Mazzone adds depth to St. Joe's lineup as a highly-decorated freshman.
On defense, Saint Joseph's returns a veteran starting core of
Chloe Khelil,
Amanda Maxson and
Danielle Stuart, with
Leah Buch and
Cheyenne McCloud ready to make impacts as freshmen.
Paced by last year's leading scorer
Natalie Nevins, the Hawks' midfield features a deep and talented group anchored by seniors Nevins,
Nicole Angelini,
Maddie Anderson, and
Rachel Brown; junior
Lauren Hatt; and sophomore
Jayda Shehadi, and paired with freshmen
Ava Barton,
Nicole Everard,
Juliette Muro and
Jailyn Parrotte.
Senior
Sam Dumont and sophomores
Chloe Oudin,
Aaniyah Street and
Natalee Vicari lead a youthful frontline that includes newcomers sophomore
Izzy Newton and freshman
Alivia Colgan,
Emily Hanrahan and
Kerri Jackson.
Saint Joseph's home matches and select road contests will once again be streamed on ESPN+ this season.
