Women's Soccer | 3/11/2021 1:53:28 PM
Utica College will look to defend its league title, as the 2021 Empire 8 Spring Women’s Soccer season gets underway on March 14. The Empire 8 postseason tournament format has changed for spring 2021, with all six competing teams advancing to the Empire 8 Championship Tournament, which will take place from April 13-17, with the higher seed hosting each game.
Fans can watch the action all season long, free of charge on
Empire 8 TV.
Team Capsules (Sorted by 2019 Standings)
St. John Fisher
Junior Carli Kovarik will be counted on to lead the way for the Cardinals in 2021 under second-year head coach Molly Romano. Kovarik, the 2018 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, has 15 goals in her first two seasons. In addition, sophomore forward Megan Letta is back after leading the team with 13 points in 2019 to earn All-Empire 8 honorable mention accolades. Sophomore Gabriella D’Ambrosio emerged as the starting goalkeeper down the stretch last season and will look to continue her strong play into 2021.
Nazareth
The Golden Flyers will look to build off of a strong 2019 season in which they won nine games and were in contention for the E8 regular season title until the final day of the regular season. Nazareth returns three 2019 All-Empire 8 first selections, midfielders Caleigh Cahoon and McKayla Hughes and defender Megan McCraith. McCraith was also the 2019 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year. Hughes led the team in scoring with six goals and 14 points in 2019. The Golden Flyers will look to replace three-time All-Empire 8 selection and All-American goalkeeper Hannah Miller, who won 30 games in her collegiate career.
Utica
The defending champion Pioneers will have a slightly new look in 2021, as 2019 Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year Mikalya Blumenstock and 2019 Empire 8 Tournament Most Valuable Player Allison Wagner have graduated. Senior midfielder Kierra Caissey, a 2018 and 2019 All-Empire 8 first team selection, returns after hitting the back of the net 15 times over the last two seasons. Senior forward Sydney Cook returns after recording 11 points in 2019, while senior Amanda Thut, a 2019 All-Empire 8 honorable mention selection, will lead a strong group of defenders.
Houghton
The Highlanders have a veteran laden squad in 2021, with several top returners back on the field. Houghton finished tied for fourth in the 2019 E8 standings and return a pair of All-Empire 8 honorable mention selections, forwards Kealy DeForest and midfielder Moriah Steffen. Junior midfielder/forward Alex Steele and junior defender Amy Romig will also be counted on to be key contributors. Goalkeeper Megan Merrifield is back after a strong rookie season.
Alfred
Alfred returns 18 veterans and welcomes seven first-year players and will look to build off a 2019 season in which they finished 8-7-1 and reached the second round of the ECAC Championship Playoffs. The Saxons won four of their final six regular season games, outscoring opponents 22-5 during that span. Junior defender Amanda Guariglia, a 2019 All-Empire 8 first team pick, is back after leading the Saxons in minutes played (1,778). Senior Katline Cartwright and juniors Abigail Austin and Karline Landries will serve as team captains for the Saxons. Austin was an All-Empire 8 second team pick in 2019.
Sage
Sage returns 11 upperclassmen from a team that won seven games in 2019. Junior Natalie Ricci, a 2019 All-Empire 8 first team selection, will be counted on to lead the offense after recording 25 points on 10 goals and five assists. Junior Angela Gonzalez is back to patrol the midfield after earning All-Empire 8 honorable mention accolades in 2019. Seniors Bailey Pepper and Samantha Schmidt, along with junior Delaney Gillis will lead an experienced defensive unit, while sophomore Kallan Shertzer is back in net after recording five shutouts as a rookie in 2019.
^ Elmira, Hartwick and Keuka have opted out of league play for the 2021 Spring season.
Final 2019 Empire 8 Women’s Soccer Standings
St. John Fisher (7-7-3, 4-0-3 E8)
Hartwick (12-4-3, 4-0-3 E8)
Nazareth (9-6-2, 4-1-2 E8)
Utica (12-6-1, 3-3-1 E8) – League Champions
Houghton (8-7-2, 3-3-1 E8)
Alfred (8-7-5, 2-3-2 E8)
Sage (7-11-0, 2-5-0 E8)
Elmira (2-14-0, 0-7-0 E8)
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The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
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