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Clarkson University Athletics

2023 CU Women's Soccer Preview

BatesCanton21
Gary Mikel

Women's Soccer | 8/28/2023 11:58:00 AM

A year ago, the Clarkson University Women's Soccer team ended the conference regular season on a five-game unbeaten streak to reach the Liberty League postseason, and once there the Golden Knights forced overtime twice before getting eliminated by Ithaca College in the conference semifinals. With most of the team back for the 2023 season, the Green and Gold are looking to make another postseason run.

Guided by fifth-year head coach Zac Shaw and assistants Marlene Fries and Caitlyn Ferreira, the Golden Knights return eight starters and six field players that spent better than 80% of the time on the pitch. This season the Knights boast greater depth and can challenge on both offense and defense with substitutions while seeing little drop in production.

Clarkson will see veterans for all spots on the field, none more so than on defense, headlined by two-time conference all-star Molly DiCaprio. Last season, DiCaprio spent all but 44 minutes between the posts for the Knights, posting a 0.90 goals against average, an .837 save percentage, and six shutouts to go along with 87 saves. While much of that production came from DiCaprio herself, she was aided considerably by a strong defensive effort, including senior Arin Bates, junior Rachel Williams, and sophomore Julia Tylar. All three started at least 11 games a year ago, with Bates and Tylar each topping 1600 minutes of time. Sophomore Paige Ford will likely see more time this year, and senior Hailey Hansen and junior Grace Smith could see additional minutes as well.

The midfield provided solid defense and offense as well. Senior Emily Colby recorded nearly 1500 minutes despite missing close to two full games, and junior Emily Davis was the team's leader in minutes played (outside of DiCaprio). Each of those players were steady midfielders, combining for four goals and nine points overall. Senior Maddie Lopol played a key role throughout the season, but her offensive contributions down the stretch helped push Clarkson into the postseason, as four of her five goals came in the final six games of the year.  

Clarkson's offense up front has even more depth than a year ago despite the loss of the team's leading scorer, Sarah Kohls, and steady offensive threat Angelina Fahrenkrug. Lillian Gillett had one of the biggest offensive debuts in Clarkson Women's Soccer history, recording 13 points on six goals and an assist. Junior Chloe Hodge, the team's top scorer in 2021, embraced a role of distributor in her second season, finding teammates regularly with seven assists, proving especially dangerous on corner kick chances. Senior Aspen Tlapa also scored twice for the Knights and will be looking for more in 2023.

Adding to the team's offensive veteran presence are Haley Archambault, Tonia Kousmanidis, and Rylee Marin, while Carly Spinella will be looking to add to the team's depth after missing her first collegiate season due to injury.

The Golden Knights welcome five first-year players to the fold, and each could make a quick impact for the Green and Gold. Emma Robinson and Brooke Everest should see immediate minutes as forwards and Riley Irvin and Callie Abel will challenge for time in the midfield. In goal, both senior Ava Pushor and freshman Kenzie Roth will serve as backups to DiCaprio.




 
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Players Mentioned

Haley Archambault

#12 Haley Archambault

M/F
5' 4"
Sophomore
Emily Colby

#20 Emily Colby

M
5' 9"
Junior
Emily Davis

#5 Emily Davis

M
5' 7"
Sophomore
Molly DiCaprio

#99 Molly DiCaprio

GK
5' 7"
Sophomore
Angelina Fahrenkrug

#25 Angelina Fahrenkrug

F
5' 4"
Senior
Hailey Hansen

#21 Hailey Hansen

D
5' 7"
Junior
Chloe Hodge

#6 Chloe Hodge

F
5' 5"
Sophomore
Sarah Kohls

#11 Sarah Kohls

M/F
5' 7"
Senior
Tonia Kousmanidis

#14 Tonia Kousmanidis

M/F
5' 3"
Junior
Rylee Marin

#17 Rylee Marin

F/M
5' 6"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Haley Archambault

#12 Haley Archambault

5' 4"
Sophomore
M/F
Emily Colby

#20 Emily Colby

5' 9"
Junior
M
Emily Davis

#5 Emily Davis

5' 7"
Sophomore
M
Molly DiCaprio

#99 Molly DiCaprio

5' 7"
Sophomore
GK
Angelina Fahrenkrug

#25 Angelina Fahrenkrug

5' 4"
Senior
F
Hailey Hansen

#21 Hailey Hansen

5' 7"
Junior
D
Chloe Hodge

#6 Chloe Hodge

5' 5"
Sophomore
F
Sarah Kohls

#11 Sarah Kohls

5' 7"
Senior
M/F
Tonia Kousmanidis

#14 Tonia Kousmanidis

5' 3"
Junior
M/F
Rylee Marin

#17 Rylee Marin

5' 6"
Junior
F/M