GAMBIER, Ohio – After toiling through a rebuild last season, the recharged 2025 Kenyon College women's soccer team is heading toward its competition schedule with optimism. This year's roster is much more balanced and deeper than the previous season. The squad is looking to build off the learning experiences from 2024 and use them to propel improvement throughout the upcoming season. 
    
2024 Review
Kenyon posted a 1-11-2 record in 2024 and placed eighth in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) standings with a 0-5-2 record. Although the team struggled offensively, the defense kept games close, as five of the Owls' seven NCAC contests were either tied or decided by one goal.

Coaching Staff
Sarah McClellan took on the daunting task of taking on a program that was handed to her in disarray one season ago. With positivity and patience, she guided the 2024 team through a season that didn't see a sound win-loss record, but one that was consistent and competitive. Now, entering her second season at Kenyon, McClelland has her squad poised to take the next steps with hopes of climbing up the NCAC ladder. 

NCAC Preseason Poll
Coaches ballots for the annual NCAC preseason poll were counted last week and the Owls were predicted to finish eighth. The two conference teams that Kenyon tied last season, Wittenberg University and Ohio Wesleyan University, were predicted to finish third and sixth, respectively. Defending NCAC champion, Denison University, collected seven first-place votes and took the top spot in the poll. DePauw University was picked second and Wittenberg, which slotted third, garnered the only other first-place vote. 

Returning All-Conference Honorees
The 2025 Owls have a pair of returning all-conference honorees. As a first-year forward last season, Emily Copeland earned an All-NCAC Second Team spot and was also named the NCAC Newcomer of the Year. Additionally, Brooke Heis, a junior defender one season ago, gained an All-NCAC Third Team nod.  

Returning Statistical Leaders
Copeland, the first player in program history to be named a NCAC Newcomer of the Year, led the 2024 Owls with four goals and eight points. Heis was one of just two players to record an assist. In net, Ariel Kite returns after logging a sophomore season that included more 1,200 minutes of playing time and 72 saves. 

Season Overview

• Season Opener: Saturday, August 30 at Bethany College (12:00 pm)
• Home Opener: Wednesday, September 3 vs. Thiel College (4:30 pm)
• NCAC Opener: Saturday, October 4 at home against The College of Wooster (1:00 pm)

How to Follow
Fans can follow Kenyon women's soccer throughout the season via the following links: 

• Live coverage (stats and video) - https://athletics.kenyon.edu/live 
• Twitter and Instagram - @KenyonSports
• YouTube - @KenyonAthletics