(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia women's soccer is getting ready to begin their 2022 season. The Cardinals finished 10-6-2 overall last year with a 4-4-2 WHAC conference mark, earning the #6 seed. CUAA will be led by first-year head coach Darus Ward, returning 19 players (including 8 seniors) while adding 5 newcomers.
2021 Season Review
Concordia started the non-conference slate 6-1 last year. The team blanked Rochester 3-0 to start WHAC play as one of their 7 shutouts of the season. Finishing as the #6 seed in the WHAC conference, the team traveled to #3 seed UNOH in the first round. The Cardinals kept the contest close in the first half, but the Racers eventually pulled away to claim the win.
2022 Season Outlook
The Cardinals will open the 2022 season when they host Taylor this Saturday at 3pm. The team will finish the month of August with a critical road contest at #5-ranked Spring Arbor on the evening of August 30.
Concordia will return home September 3 to host #23 Campbellsville in another key non-conference tilt. After another home match against Ave Maria, the Cardinals start a 3-game road trip against Saint Francis (IN), #RV Judson, and Bethel. WHAC conference play starts with a key home contest against #9 Aquinas on September 24. The team finishes the month with road tilts against Indiana Tech and rival Siena Heights.
The Cardinals have 4 straight home games to begin the month of October, playing host to Cleary, Lawrence Tech, Madonna and UM-Dearborn. After a road match at Lourdes, the team returns home to face Rochester and #RV UNOH. The regular season concludes with a game at Cornerstone on October 29.
If the Cardinals finish among the top 8 teams in the WHAC, they will qualify for the conference tournament.
WHAC Preseason Poll
Concordia was picked to finish seventh in the WHAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, garnering 65 points overall. Aquinas finished 1st with 11 first-place votes (141 points) followed by Madonna in 2nd with 1 first-place vote (127 points).
Concordia Personnel
Senior Isabel Stropich returns after notching a team-leading 7 goals including 3 game-winners. Senior Megan Starkey was second on the team with 5 goals last year. Senior Kendra Lewis comes back after recording 3 goals and 2 assists last year. Senior Kiera Savage notched 2 goals in 2021.
Senior Samantha Putnam recorded 2 assists last season. Senior Hannah Smigielski had 3 shots on goal while playing hard in the midfield. Senior Halle Kallsen saw action in 4 contests last year on defense. Senior midfielder Abigael Harkins played in 2 games last season.
Junior goalkeeper Hayley Jacobson picked up 3 wins last year with 3 shutouts (1 outright, 2 shared) and 23 saves. Junior Danielle Bracken recorded 1 goal and 2 assists in 2021. Junior Andrea Foster picked up an assist last season. Junior Aaliyah McIntosh played in 11 games, showing good speed on the attack. Junior Samantha Pomponio saw action in 9 games.
Sophomore Taia Vega had 2 goals including a game-winner. Sophomore Hazel Wright had a game-winning goal and 2 assists. Sophomore Kamryn Gerecke played in 13 games and made 3 shots on goal. Sophomore Mackenzie Lewis played solid defense in 7 games. Sophomore Sabrina Bucci played 6 games and had a shot on goal. Sophomore midfielder Gabrielle Kelel will see her first action this year.
The Cardinals will have five freshmen this year: Ambryn Diener, Elizabeth Minard, Isabella Elsey, Katelynn Aiello, and Mataya James.
2021 Team Stats
