Fulton, MO 8/24/2022- The Westminster women's soccer team under the helm of second-year head coach Courtney Howe was picked fourth overall in the SLIAC preseason polls. The Blue Jays finished the season last year with a 7-9-1 record and going 7-7 in the conference. They would finish fifth in the regular season and lost a shootout in the tournament quarterfinals against Spalding University.
The Blue Jays had a young core last season and all eleven starters are returning for the 2022 campaign. Seniors Kelsey Gordon (St. Louis, MO / Lindbergh) , Maddy Lawton (Wentzville, MO / Timberland, and Abbey Montana (Barnhart, MO/ Seckman) will lead the Jays. Junior goalkeeper Megan Davidson (St. Louis, MO / Affton High School) will anchor the team.
Coach Howe said of her squad "we are excited to return a strong upper class with the addition of an incoming group we believe will make a big impact this season."
Last year's conference winner Fontbonne University was picked to win the league, receiving four first-place votes. Webster University was picked to finish second, and they also received four first-place votes.
Westminster will start the season with a strong non-conference schedule, taking on Concordia on September 3rd and Nebraska Wesleyan on September 4th. The Blue Jays then head home to take on the University of Ozark on September 9th. The SLIAC conference schedule starts on September 13th when the Blue Jays face off against the Principia Panthers.
2022 SLIAC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
Fontbonne (4) 46 points
Webster (4) 44 points
Greenville 36 points
Westminster 31 points
Spalding 28 points
Principia 17 points
Blackburn 11 points
Eureka 11 points
