Women's Soccer: 2019 Season Preview
NASHUA, N.H. - The 2019 Rivier University Women's Soccer Team starts the season with focus and excitement heading into the first game against Northern Vermont- Lyndon (Saturday, 8/31 @ 4:30pm). The Raiders are returning seventeen student-athletes from the 2018 season and are pleased to welcome six incoming student-athletes this fall.
The team will be led by shot stopping senior co-captain Kasey Smith (Hopkinton, N.H. / Hopkinton) in net. Joining Smith in the captaincy role will be senior co-captain Brittany Fletcher (Tewksbury, Mass. / Tewksbury), who led the team in scoring and assists in the 2018 season, and junior co-captain Carley Bostwick (Lowell, Mass. / Lowell) who will be returning as the core of the Raiders backline.
Returning on offense and providing creativity up top will be goal scorers; senior Keara Sheehan (Chelmsford, Mass. / Chelmsford) and junior Madison Westcott (Tewksbury, Mass. / Tewksbury). Also returning to bolster the offensive unit are juniors Mikayla Rush (Mason, N.Y. / Milford), and Cheyanne Keets (Laconia, N.H. / Laconia) along with sophomores Jaida Mitchell (Raymond, N.H. / Raymond) and Hannah Shapiro (Hamden, CT / Hamden).
Leading the charge in the midfield are returners senior Kassiana Gagnon (Windham, N.H. / Windham), juniors Ashley Glynn (Salem, NH / Salem), Madison Sharpe (Raymond, NH / Raymond), and sophomores Avery Martin (Milford, N.H. / Milford) and Chloe Sottak (Belmont, N.H. / Belmont). This group of returners along with the first year midfielders will help us possess the ball and create goal scoring opportunities.
Rounding out the team of returners are defenders senior Stephanie Case (Nashua, NH / Nashua North) and sophomores Micayla Bourski (Pawtucket, R.I. / Saint Raphael Academy), and Meagan Minaya (Alton, N.H. / Prospect Mountain). This defensive line of experienced returners will be well complimented by some fresh legs and speed by our incoming defenders.
Lastly, we're excited about the group of incoming student-athletes who have already been competing for playing time and will help strengthen our team. First year midfielders Makayla Zulon (E. Bridgewater, Mass / Abington), Megan Dumont (Raymond, NH /Raymond) and local player Sami Blais (Nashua, NH / Nashua North) will provide depth both offensively and defensively competing in the midfield.
Our first year defenders, Lizzie Fleming (Belmont, NH /Belmont), McKenzie Sauer (Windsor, VT / Windsor), and Erin Kelley (W. Bridgewater, Mass / Southeast Regional) will help grow the depth of our backline. This trio all received first team all-state accolades for their high school teams and is looking to make waves in the GNAC.
"All first years are adjusting very quickly to the college game and all of the student-athletes have all shown great skill and enthusiasm throughout pre-season." Second year Head Coach Brooke Arment said when asked about the upcoming season. "We're really looking forward to carrying the work we've put in in the off-season and during pre-season over into our first game!"
The 2019 Rivier University Women's Soccer team will open their season on August 31st against Northern Vermont- Lyndon and will host the firs home opener of the season on September 5th at 7pm against Pine Manor College.
