The Holy Cross women’s soccer team hopes to avoid getting all tied up this fall.
On the way to recording their fourth straight .500 or above finish, the Saints (6-6-7) drew even with their opponents seven times along the way.
The prognosis for another successful campaign appears to be promising, but sixth-year leader Omar Gallo has some big shoes to fill on the pitch with the departure of midfielder and all-time points leader Lauren Cernak and forward Kathleen Ming (one goal and four assists).
A three-time all-Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference selection, the Penn High product Cernak, who played her first two season at Goshen College, came up 15 goals and 14 assists in 2022.
Expected to pick up the slack on the offensive end will be sophomore midfielder Hannah Lemieux (eight goals and one assist), senior midfielder Nicole Cook (seven goals and seven assists), and sophomore forward Mia Garatoni (four goals and one assist).
In addition to junior goalkeeper Taylor Primack (1.32 goals allowed average), some seniors to keep an eye on include midfielders Olivia Shaw (one goal and seven assists), Solena Cruz (one goal and one assist), Hailey Sanders (one goal and two assists), Joanne Lianos (three assists), Kassidy Puthoff (one goal),
Other seniors expected to contribute include forward Rachel Gomez and defensive specialists Ashley McDonald and Morgan Maggine.
Contributions will also come from junior defensive specialists Katherine West (one assist) and Yamileet Mateo, and sophomore midfielder Annabelle Alfredo.
The Saints commence the 2023 campaign at the University of Northwestern (Ohio) on August 14 with the home opener taking place on August 31 against Grace.