2024 Women’s Soccer Season Preview

2023 record: 4-11-1 (1-9-1 Heart)
Starters returning/lost: 8/3
Letterwinners returning/lost: 17/6

Notable returners:
Emma Brandt, So., Cologne, Germany
(Letterwinner, 1 assist)
Madeline Danielson, Sr., Evergreen, Colo.
(Letterwinner, 73 saves, 3.13 Goals Against Average)
Luca Szucs, Jr., Gyor, Hungary
(Letterwinner)
Lilly Cote, Jr., Sioux City, Iowa
(Letterwinner, 3 goals)

Notable losses:
Taylor Witthauer
(All-Heart)
Abi Moers
(Letterwinner)
Georgia Murphy
(Letterwinner)
Ana Medina-Suazo
(Letterwinner)

Notable newcomers:
Grace Strong, Fr., Council Bluffs, Iowa
Madison Soratos, Fr., Murrieta, Calif.
Emma Billings, Fr., Salt Lake City, Utah

Under new leadership, the William Penn women's soccer team is seeking to make a move in the league as it enters the 2024 season.

The Statesmen, who were 4-11-1 last season (1-9-1 Heart), are now being led by first-year head coach Kaleb Preston.  He inherits a squad that returns much of its starting lineup, but will be void of any returning all-Heart of America Athletic Conference players.

Forward

Three individuals with deep knowledge of the program will head the navy and gold up top.  Lilly Cote (Jr., Sioux City, Iowa, Psychology), who started 15 games in 2023, leads the trio with three goals.  Elycia Cooley (Jr., Galveston, Texas, Biology), who played in six games last year, and Sian Bah (Jr., London, England, Political Science) are also back on the pitch this fall.

Midfielder

WPU is deep and experienced in the middle of the field, beginning with Jacque Schwager (Sr., Bondurant, Iowa, Psychology) (started all 16 games last year) and Madison Ellis (So., Vancouver, B.C., Business Management) (started 14 games) guiding the crew.

Fellow returners Luca Szucs (Jr., Gyor, Hungary, Exercise Science) (five games played), Alessia Piombo (So., So., Traverse City, Mich., Business Management) (one goal and one assist), Lina Regadane (So., So., Ijmuiden, Netherlands, Business Management) (eight games), and Joy Pagel (Jr., Maring-Noviand, Germany, Psychology) (one assist) are also back in the navy and gold.

The incoming freshman duo of Grace Strong (Council Bluffs, Iowa, Biology) and Madison Soratos (Murrieta, Calif., Psychology) look to make an impact in their first collegiate campaigns as well.

Defender

William Penn's backline is flush with returners, beginning with Lacie Kirkle (Sr., Altoona, Iowa, Business Management) who managed three assists in 16 starts a season ago.

A starter in 15 games last fall, Emma Brandt (So., Cologne, Germany, Sports Management) recorded one assist, while Olivia Walker (Jr., Caro, Mich., Biology) tallied two goals a year ago.

India Foger (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev., Exercise Science) also played in four contests in 2023.

Goalkeeper

Madeline Danielson (Sr., La Crescent, Minn., Biology) is slated to once again start in front of the pipes, having tallied 73 saves with a 3.13 Goals Against Average last season.

Freshman Emma Billings (Salt Lake City, Utah, Psychology) will also push for the starting goalkeeping nod.

Schedule/Conference

William Penn's 2024 season begins Thursday with a home matchup against Dordt at Drost Field.  It is one of eight home contests this fall.  The Statesmen open their Heart schedule on September 14 at home versus Baker.