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Clarkson University Athletics

2026 Clarkson University Women's Soccer Preview

DahlgardJamie2025ith
Will Leiphart

Women's Soccer | 8/27/2026 11:00:00 AM

From the start to the conclusion of the season, injuries plagued the Clarkson University Women's Soccer team in 2025, making an already difficult task of needing to replace numerous graduated student-athletes a more daunting one. However, a strong defensive corps and a significant first-year class should help the Golden Knights make another run at playoff contention in 2026.

Guided by head coach Zac Shaw and assisted by Aida Kardovic, the first point of business for the Knights will be to replace the scoring that came from the upperclassmen in 2025. Lillian Gillett (5-0-10) and Paige Ford (4-1-9) were two of the team's top three scorers, while Julia Tyler (1-4-6) started many offensive chances on direct kicks. Fortunately for the Knights, most of the team's top players in terms of minutes are back, including seven players that logged 750 minutes or more.

Defensively, Clarkson returns three starters, including Rachael Matthews, Riley Irvin, and Callie Abel. Matthews and Irvin rarely left the pitch last year, while Abel would have been right with them had she not missed the last four games of the campaign. That group will be leaned upon for a steadying influence in the back while also starting counters on the sidelines. Joining them as returners are junior Alina Krdzic and sophomore Sarah Krayeske, with each looking to get past some early season maladies before getting back on the field.

Clarkson has a considerable stable of talent in the midfield with ample experience. Sophomore Aviana Johnson was fourth on the team in minutes last year and started regularly, a routine that will likely be continued in 2026. Juniors Jamie Dahlgard, Aurora Zary, Emily LeBlanc, and Brooke Butler have seen plenty of time over the last two years, with each having registered significant minutes and providing offense in addition to other duties in the center of the field. Sophomore Kate Walsh missed last season due to injury, but is ready to make an impact this fall.

The top returning scorer from a year ago is senior Brooke Everest, who was tied for second on the team in scoring with nine points on four goals and one assist. Over three seasons, she has tallied four game-winning goals, and her leadership on offense will be a key for Clarkson's success. Joining her up front are a trio of sophomores with varying levels of time. Rachel McMonagle saw the most time among the three, while Gabrielle Cyganik showed how explosive she can be with a three-goal game early on in the campaign. Classmate Maddison Haver missed the year after an injury in preseason, but had shown promise in the early practices of 2025.

The coaching staff brought in a number of first-year student-athletes and some of them should be able to replace Ford and Gillett as scoring options, especially on corner kicks. Ella Ramsdell and Erin Selleck are easy targets for headers due to their taller frames, while several others have dynamic qualities as well. Thea Armistead should be an option offensively, as will Ella Intrieri and Ainsley Smith. In the midfield, Madison Jakubek, Valentina Fasciano, and Harley Efron should also see plenty of time on the pitch.

As the final line of defense, Clarkson has a few options from which to choose for goalkeeper. Kenzie Roth is the only goalkeeper that was on the team a year ago, as she appeared in four games in which she made 13 saves and sported a 1.50 goals against average. Graduate transfer Emma Fleming comes from South Carolina State, while first-year Paige Barnett will likely see time both this year and down the road in future seasons.     






 
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Players Mentioned

Callie Abel

#4 Callie Abel

Mid
5' 8"
Junior
Brooke Butler

#14 Brooke Butler

Def/Mid
5' 7"
Sophomore
Jamie Dahlgard

#21 Jamie Dahlgard

Mid
5' 7"
Sophomore
Brooke Everest

#23 Brooke Everest

For
5' 7"
Junior
Paige Ford

#19 Paige Ford

For/Def
5' 10"
Senior
Lillian Gillett

#9 Lillian Gillett

Mid/For
5' 9"
Senior
Riley Irvin

#10 Riley Irvin

Mid
5' 8"
Junior
Alina Krdzic

#3 Alina Krdzic

Def/Mid
5' 7"
Sophomore
Emily LeBlanc

#11 Emily LeBlanc

Mid
5' 7"
Sophomore
Rachael Matthews

#22 Rachael Matthews

Def/Mid
5' 5"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Callie Abel

#4 Callie Abel

5' 8"
Junior
Mid
Brooke Butler

#14 Brooke Butler

5' 7"
Sophomore
Def/Mid
Jamie Dahlgard

#21 Jamie Dahlgard

5' 7"
Sophomore
Mid
Brooke Everest

#23 Brooke Everest

5' 7"
Junior
For
Paige Ford

#19 Paige Ford

5' 10"
Senior
For/Def
Lillian Gillett

#9 Lillian Gillett

5' 9"
Senior
Mid/For
Riley Irvin

#10 Riley Irvin

5' 8"
Junior
Mid
Alina Krdzic

#3 Alina Krdzic

5' 7"
Sophomore
Def/Mid
Emily LeBlanc

#11 Emily LeBlanc

5' 7"
Sophomore
Mid
Rachael Matthews

#22 Rachael Matthews

5' 5"
Sophomore
Def/Mid