Women's Soccer | 08/26/23 | 10:07 AM

HELENA, Mont. - The Carroll College Women's Soccer team officially begins their 2023 season this afternoon, hosting Northwestern (Iowa) at 3:30 p.m. in Nelson Stadium.

School is back in session, and the Fighting Saints have survived another fall camp. The team has been on campus since the early days of August, working through a number of intense practice sessions and has one inter-school scrimmage under their belt.

Today, the Saints get their first countable opportunity against a Northwestern team that they played, and beat, in the 2022 season.

In search of another trip to the Cascade Collegiate Conference postseason tournament, Carroll will have to rely on some fresh faces to replace a decorated group of graduates. One particularly difficult task will be replacing the production of 2022 CCC Offensive Player of the Year, Blair Stapleton. Stapleton was an Honorable Mention All-American and led the conference in points and goals scored.

Emily Funseth (Great Falls, Mont. / SR) will likely be one of the players that a young Saints group turns to when they need a spark. Funseth, an Honorable Mention All-CCC performer a year ago, had five goals over her own in 2022. 

Jaymee Sheridan (Helena, Mont. / JR), a local product, will be another upperclassmen that will be relied upon to put the ball away. Like Funseth, she posted five goals in 2022, finishing the season with 13 total points.

Zoie Koci (Boise, Idaho / SR) and Natalie Brown (Pasadena, Calif. / SR) will provide stability and valuable leadership to a Carroll squad that could potentially see as many as four freshmen start this season.

Carroll's incoming class of 2023 features play makers at multiple spots on the pitch, with goal scorers, defenders, and a pair of goal keepers joining the team.

The Couer d'Alene connection remains strong at Carroll, with the additions of defender Brynn Johnson (Hayden Lake, Idaho / FR) and forward Delaney Moczan (Couer d'Alene, Idaho / FR). Both newcomers had impressive prep careers and hope to make an immediate impact for the Saints.

A pipeline between Billings West High School and Carroll has provided the program, and many others at Carroll, with tremendous talent over the years. 2023 is no different with the additions of defender Avery Lambourne (Billings, Mont. / FR) and goal keeper Maria Ackerman (Billings, Mont. / FR).

Today's game will be streamed on the Veo Live app at no charge. Users will have to create an account and follow the Carroll College program on the new home of Carroll Soccer live streaming. The Veo system provides a much more immersive experience for viewers, getting you closer to the action than previous years.

Live stats can be followed HERE.

Visit www.carrolathletics.com this evening for a recap of the action, and to stay up to date with everything going on in Carroll Athletics.