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Clarkson University Athletics

2024 CU Women's Soccer Season Preview

DavisEmily2023actBM1
Ben Moeller

Women's Soccer | 8/21/2024 11:21:00 AM

With several all-stars returning and back-to-back Liberty League playoff appearances, the Clarkson University Women's Soccer team is looking to take another step forward in the conference standings in 2024. Guided by head coach Zac Shaw and assistants Marlene Fries and Caitlyn Ferreira, the Green and Gold open the 2024 season at home on August 30th against crosstown rival SUNY Potsdam.

Last season the Knights posted their best winning percentage in program history by going 11-5-2. The team also had its lowest goals against average in the 40-plus years of Clarkson soccer (0.67), attained its first national ranking in program history, and resided in the regional rankings for the entirety of 2023.

Back in goal for the Golden Knights is senior Molly DiCaprio, who is well on her way to setting numerous career goalkeeping records at Clarkson. A three-time conference all-star and all-region selection a year ago, DiCaprio is one win shy of tying the all-time mark at Clarkson and needs one more shutout to set a new standard for the Knights. Those marks would go along with what could possibly be the lowest goals against average in program history, a mark she currently holds at 1.01. Last season she had seven solo shutouts and shared two more clean sheets while posting a 0.64 goals against average and .867 save percentage.

While the Knights will certainly miss Emily Colby on defense and Aspen Tlapa in the midfield, Clarkson returns plenty of veterans on defense. Junior Julia Tylar is a two-year starter for the Knights, while grad student Arin Bates was a conference all-star as a defensive midfielder. Paige Ford looks to take on a larger role in her third season at Clarkson and senior Rachel Williams has always served as a key player for the Knights either as a starter or valuable reserve. Fellow senior Grace Smith will also provide some depth for the defensive corps.

Clarkson's midfield should be a strength this year with some standouts back in the fold. Grad student Maddie Lopol was on her way to another all-star campaign before being felled by injury, scoring eight points in eight games just as the conference season was underway. Lopol's return bolsters an already deep midfield, as conference all-star Emily Davis saw her offense jump last year to the tune of nine points on four goals and an assist, going along with her regular steady play for possession. First-year players Callie Abel and Riley Irvin saw plenty of time in 2023, with Abel starting all 18 games and Irvin participating in 15 contests with five starts, and that experience will be key as the team looks to stop opposing offenses before they can get started.

Up front, senior Chloe Hodge received her second all-star nod a year ago and also picked up all-region notice as she led the team with 17 points on seven goals and three assists. Hodge led the conference in shots on goal per game (1.65) and ranked second in total shots (3.06) while placing third in both goals (7) and points (17). Newcomers Emma Robinson and Brooke Everest made an immediate impact on offense, combining for seven goals and 17 points, and the duo could get more opportunities in their sophomore campaign. Junior Lillian Gillett has proven a valuable source of offense in her first two seasons as well, recording nine goals and three assists for 21 points. Senior Haley Archambault has also appeared in 22 games over three seasons, and recorded a goal and an assist in 2023.

Last season, the Knights brought in just four first-year players, but all were contributors to Clarkson's successful campaign. That likely will be the case again as another talented group has arrived in Potsdam. Clarkson reloaded on defense with the arrivals of Alina Krdzic, Brooke Butler, and Rachael Matthews, while the midfield will get more offensive punch in the way of Jamie Dahlgard, Emily LeBlanc, and Aurora Zary. In goal, DiCaprio will once again be the starter, but Isabelle Wood and Payton Malec are capable replacements for non-conference games and lopsided affairs.


 
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Players Mentioned

Haley Archambault

#12 Haley Archambault

M/F
5' 4"
Junior
Emily Colby

#20 Emily Colby

M
5' 9"
Senior
Emily Davis

#5 Emily Davis

M
5' 7"
Junior
Molly DiCaprio

#99 Molly DiCaprio

GK
5' 7"
Junior
Paige Ford

#19 Paige Ford

D
5' 10"
Sophomore
Lillian Gillett

#9 Lillian Gillett

M/F
5' 9"
Sophomore
Chloe Hodge

#6 Chloe Hodge

F
5' 5"
Junior
Maddie Lopol

#2 Maddie Lopol

M
5' 10"
Senior
Grace Smith

#15 Grace Smith

D/M
5' 5"
Junior
Aspen Tlapa

#22 Aspen Tlapa

F
5' 5"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Haley Archambault

#12 Haley Archambault

5' 4"
Junior
M/F
Emily Colby

#20 Emily Colby

5' 9"
Senior
M
Emily Davis

#5 Emily Davis

5' 7"
Junior
M
Molly DiCaprio

#99 Molly DiCaprio

5' 7"
Junior
GK
Paige Ford

#19 Paige Ford

5' 10"
Sophomore
D
Lillian Gillett

#9 Lillian Gillett

5' 9"
Sophomore
M/F
Chloe Hodge

#6 Chloe Hodge

5' 5"
Junior
F
Maddie Lopol

#2 Maddie Lopol

5' 10"
Senior
M
Grace Smith

#15 Grace Smith

5' 5"
Junior
D/M
Aspen Tlapa

#22 Aspen Tlapa

5' 5"
Senior
F