Women’s Soccer Picked to Close Ninth in the CACC

8/27/2024 12:00:00 AM

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Goldey-Beacom begins a new era in 2024 with the team selected to finish ninth in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, based on a vote of the league's coaches.

A vital player back in the mix is senior Alex Lowry (Wenonah, NJ), a gifted student-athlete who has done it all for the squad from playing defense, midfield and even serving as an emergency goalkeeper for which she was named CACC Goalkeeper of the Week. One of the most liked people on campus, Lowry has been tabbed College Sports Communications Academic All-District four times that includes twice as a member of the Softball team.

Another key senior who will be looked at is Lexi Coppola (Turnersville, NJ), who for three years has been one of the team's most durable and reliable players. Starting 36 games during her time that includes 28 of her 29 appearances of the last two years, Coppola has amassed seven career goals and 17 career points.

Senior goalkeeper Nikki Cashin (Ridley, PA) has overcome injuries to be an inspiration for the squad and one of the leagues statistical leaders. A great competitor who had eight saves last year against a strong Bloomsburg squad, Cashin ended the campaign fourth in the CACC with 15 goals against, 10th with a 1.88 goals-against average, 10th with a .732 save percentage and 13th with 41 saves.

Goldey-Beacom last year continued to excel in the classroom with eight named to the CACC All-Academic Team and four tabbed CSC Academic All-District.

The Lightning take the field with Mitch Kazanjian grabbing the reins as head coach. Kazanjian the last two years has served as head coach and scout for the Hudson Valley Crusaders Women's Soccer Club, a role he will continue to hold.

Notching an .835 winning percentage, Kazanjian's teams have scored 3.75 goals per game and allowed just 0.875 per match over his first two years. He also coached the United Women's Soccer League 2 Offensive Player of the Year, the 2023 UWS L2 Defensive Player of the Year, the 2023 UWS L2 national Goalkeeper of the Year, the UWS 2024 Golden Boot runner-up and the UWS 2024 national assist runner-up.

GBC last season reached double figures in results for the seventh straight year. The defense showed outstanding play during the season, holding its opponents without a goal in the first half on 12 occasions and yielding just six first-half markers for the year.

Jefferson was picked to win the conference.

Goldey-Beacom opens the campaign September 5 at Bloomsburg.

CACC 2024 Women's Soccer Preseason Poll

1. Jefferson 114 pts. (6 first-place votes)
2. Bridgeport 108 pts. (4)
3. Wilmington (DE) 100 pts. (1)
4. Holy Family 89 pts. (1)
5. Caldwell 72 pts.
6. Georgian Court 67 pts.
7. Dominican (NY) 63 pts.
8. Chestnut Hill 56 pts.
9. Goldey-Beacom 43 pts.
10. Post 41 pts.
11. Felician 24 pts.
12. Lincoln (PA) 15 pts.

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