2023 Women's Soccer Season Preview

 3-12-1 (3-8-1 Heart)
Starters returning/lost: 6/5
Letterwinners returning/lost: 15/11

Notable returners:
Abi Moers, Sr., Evergreen, Colo.
(Letterwinner)
Taylor Witthauer, Sr., Vancouver, Wash.
(Letterwinner, 4 goals, 5 assists)
India Foger, So., Las Vegas, Nev.
(Letterwinner)
Madeline Danielson, Jr., La Crescent, Minn.
(Letterwinner, 65 saves, 2.66 Goals Against Average)

Notable losses:
Graisy Greener
(Letterwinner)
Zolique Samuel
(Letterwinner)
Kaitlin Falaney
(Letterwinner)

Notable newcomers:
Georgia Murphy, Sr., Liverpool, England
Luca Szucs, Jr., Gyor, Hungary
Isabelle Pietrangelo, Sr., Curitiba, Brazil
Madison Ellis, Fr., Vancouver, B.C.

The Statesmen women's soccer team is looking to make a bigger presence this fall as it heads into the 2023 campaign.

WPU, which was 3-12-1 last season (3-8-1 Heart), is headed by Andy Commins in his third season.  Coach Commins expects improved depth to move the navy and gold into a higher position in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

Forward

The Statesmen will be led at the striker position by its top returning scorer Taylor Witthauer (Sr., Vancouver, Wash., Nursing).  The senior tallied 13 total points, including four goals and five assists.

She will share time with newcomer Jacque Schwager (So., Bondurant, Iowa, Psychology and Human Services).

Midfielder

Georgia Murphy (Sr., Liverpool, England, Exercise Science) is set to be the starting attacking midfielder in her first season in the navy and gold.

The wing positions will be guided by a trio of returners in Lilly Cote (So., Sioux City, Iowa, Education), Elycia Cooley (So., Galveston, Texas, Business Management), and Rudy Bucknall (Sr., Ilfracombe, England, Sports Management).  Cote heads the group with one goal and one assist from 2022.

Returners Abi Moers (Sr., Evergreen, Colo., Psychology) and Olivia Walker (So., Caro, Mich., Biology) are both back on the pitch, serving as the defensive midfielders.

Defender

Returner India Foger (So., Las Vegas, Nev., Exercise Science) and newcomer Emma Brandt (Fr., Cologne, Germany, Sports Management) are slated to be the starting center backs, while returner Lacie Kirkle (Jr., Altoona, Iowa, Undecided) and newcomer Madison Ellis (Fr., Vancouver, B.C., Business Management) are expected to be the starters on the sides.

Goalkeeper

Madeline Danielson (Jr., La Crescent, Minn., Exercise Science) will once again be the last line of defense after notching 65 saves with a 2.66 Goals Against Average a year ago.

Schedule/Conference

WPU opens up the 2023 on Wednesday against Midland on the road.  The team then starts its seven-game home slate on August 30 versus Coe.  William Penn's five non-conference games will set it up for a grueling Heart schedule that begins on September 16 at Baker.