University of Delaware Athletics
Season Preview: 2022 Women's Soccer
8/12/2022 3:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer
It's August and it's time for soccer! The University of Delaware women's soccer team will kick off the 2022 season for the Blue Hens with a matchup on Thursday, August 18 against Delaware State at home at Grant Stadium to start its 33rd season of play.
Head Coach Mike Barroqueiro enters his sixth season at the helm of the program. Mary Hearin begins her first season on staff as an associate head coach, while assistant coach Mike Shenigo is in his sixth season with the Blue Hens.
"This group has been looking forward to the season for quite some time now," said Barroqueiro. "We had a great spring and we've built off that with a really positive preseason. The group is working really hard, we're deep, and we're competing as well as we ever have. I'm excited for this group to hit the field and can't wait to see what the end product looks like. I'm incredibly proud of these kids."
Are you ready?!? ⚽️🎯 pic.twitter.com/RaUPC6gVeT
— Delaware Women's Soccer (@DelawareWSOC) August 10, 2022
HAT TRICKS
- The Blue Hens return six starters from last season, in addition to welcoming the 33rd-ranked recruiting class to Newark.
- The newest Blue Hens are Emily McNesby (Chalfont, Pa.), Leilah Salee (Fleetwood, Pa.), Sofie Igelkjoen (Horten, Norway), Maddie Schepers (Port Deposit, Md.), Nicole Binkley (Burlington, NJ), Ryan Mundy (Wilmington, DE), Olivia Hoover (Glen Ridge, NJ), Grace Harvey (Gaithersburg, Md.) Constanze Viehmann (Ladenburg, Germany), Odaliana Gomez (Hasbrouck Heights, NJ)
- The Blue Hens were picked to finish seventh in the CAA preseason poll.
- Delaware returns 9 of 14 goals scored a year ago and two players who scored at least two goals.
- Sophomore Sydni Wright and senior Zoe Smith played in all 18 matches last season.
- Zoe Smith played the most minutes last season amongst all returners with 1,506.
- Sara D'Appolonia enters 2022 tied for 15th in goals scored with 15. She led or tied the team in points scored and goals from 2019-21. D'Appolonia scored the fifth-fastest goal to start a game on Sept. 22, 2021 vs. Seton Hall, when she scored 3:00 into the game.
- D'Appolonia led the squad with three goals and two assists for eight points, including two gamewinners.
- One of three freshmen to earn a start this past fall for Delaware, Wright started 14 of 18 matches in her first season. An offensive and defensive threat for the Blue Hens, Wright shined all season long, as she registered one goal and two assists in 2021. The rookie ranked sixth on the team in minutes played with 1,309. Wright became the 12th Blue Hen voted to the CAA All-Rookie team since its inception in 2004.
PRESEASON HONORS
University of Delaware senior forward Sara D'Appolonia was named to the All-CAA Preseason Team as she heads into her final season with the Blue Hens. Sophomore midfielder Caitlin St. Leger earned honorable mention nods after a successful rookie campaign.
S/O to @mainesportschic for landing on the @CAASports Women's Soccer Preseason All-Conference team while Caitlin St. Leger earned an Honorable Mention nod 👏 pic.twitter.com/jLbGS9l4Mt
— Delaware Women's Soccer (@DelawareWSOC) August 11, 2022
SCHEDULE
Non-Conference Matchups
The Blue Hens will host in-state rival Delaware State on August 18th at Stuart and Suzanne Grant Stadium in its season opener. In addition to hosting the Hornets, the Blue Hens will also welcome Lehigh (Sept. 1) and Sacred Heart (Sept. 11) for non-conference home matches.
Six non-conference away matchups highlight the fall schedule. Delaware will play at Villanova (Aug. 21), Virginia Tech (Aug. 25), and Richmond (Aug. 28) in the month of August. The Blue Hens will close out non-conference play in the month of September with matches at Seton Hall (Sept. 4), St. Francis (Sept. 8), and Princeton (Sept. 18).
Colonial Athletic Association Matchups
Monmouth and Stony Brook join the CAA this fall, expanding the league schedule. The Blue Hens begin conference play on Thursday, Sept. 22 at UNCW. Other CAA away matchups include Charleston (Sept. 25), Monmouth (Oct. 13), and Northeastern (Oct. 16).
Delaware will host four CAA matches in a row beginning with Elon on Sept. 29, followed by Towson (Oct. 2), Stony Brook (Oct. 6), and Hofstra (Oct. 9). The Blue Hens will wrap up their regular season schedule on Oct. 23, when it hosts Drexel.
The 2022 CAA Tournament quarterfinals will begin on Oct. 28. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be played at the home of the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds. The championship game will be played at the highest remaining seed on No. 5.
"We are excited about what lies ahead in 2022 with the chance to compete in a challenging non-conference slate combined with an expanded and new look CAA schedule," said Barroqueiro. "New opponents, new locations, and new experiences for our student-athletes can help create growth in our program. I'm excited for the memories and challenges that are sure to bring out the best in each of us! No doubt, this could be a memorable 2022!"
For the latest on the Delaware women's soccer program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareWSOC and Instagram @DelawareWSOC and like "Delaware Women's Soccer" on Facebook.
