Women’s Soccer to Open Season at CH4 Against Cleary

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University women's soccer team is ready to kick off its 2024 campaign on Monday, August 19 at CH4 stadium against Cleary University at 5:00 pm.

The Lady Cougars are coming off an 8-7-3 season in which it finished fifth in the Crossroads League with a record of 5-3-1. Sarah Maracani's team returns the majority of its production from last season and has several key returners taking the field.

Senior defender, Brooke Frazier looks to anchor the backline once again after being named to the All-Crossroads League First Team in 2023. Junior, Alexis Hoffman also was All-Crossroads League First Team last season and is coming off a year in which she led the team with 11 goals.

Midfielder, Savannah Zambory also made the All-Crossroads League First Team last season. The senior will provide a consistent veteran presence in the middle of the field after contributing with five goals and two assists in 2023.

Hannah Miller also returns for her junior season in goal after a Crossroads League Honorable Mention season. Miller ended the season with five shutouts, an average of 1.17 goals allowed per game, and a save percentage of 82.8%.

Maracani brings in a talented class of incoming freshmen in Jaden Pifher (GK), Chelsea Simpson (F), Kerrigan Burgel (D), Natalie Rohr (D), Ally Martini (MF), Abby Smith (F), and Annika Labaki (MF).

MVNU also adds sophomore, Bekah Blair from Anderson University. Blair scored five goals and had two assists as a freshman.

With talent returning at several key positions and a strong incoming class of 2024, MVNU looks to keep improving and make some noise in the Crossroads League this season.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.