The 2017 University of Mary Washington women's soccer team will look to advance to the CAC Championship for the third time in four years, led by a solid core of young returnees.
The Eagles' top goal is to again challenge for the conference championship, according to head coach Corey Hewson, in his 10th season at UMW as head coach. "The team has looked sharp in preseason training and now we are focused on putting a system into place that will complement our strengths. The group has worked hard over the past year to restructure the culture of our program, including the way they train in the offseason. This showed during the first fitness test of the year. It has been wonderful to see each of them taking charge of their personal development."
Offensively, the Eagles will look to top returning scorers in junior Christiana Meyers (10 pts – 3 g/4 a), junior Lizzie Brooks (9 pts – 4 g, 1 a), and and sophomore Brielle Mitchell (7 pts - 3 g, 1 a).
Also returning up front for the Eagles will be junior Katie Rauch, joined by a host of talented freshmen. In the midfield, Meyers and Brooks will be joined by returnees Christina Carlston, Grace Friedl, Lauren Brower, and Malorie Joseph.
Defensively, the Eagles welcome back goalkeeper Haley Randall, as well as defenders Corrine Carson, Caroline Mullin, Kara Bruzdzinski, Mackenzie Kirkham, and Shannon Blackstone.
The Eagles will open the 2017 campaign on September 1 at Houghton College at 7:00 pm, and make their home debut on September 6 against North Carolina Wesleyan College at 4:30 pm.