On Feb. 10, the Northeast Conference (NEC) Coaches’ Preseason Poll projected Sacred Heart University women’s soccer to finish third overall in the division behind Fairleigh Dickinson at number two and Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) as the unanimous favorite, according to Sacred Heart Athletics.
Junior captain Hannah Busch believes that the polls are an accurate preview to the upcoming season, but she still believes they will exceed the expectations of many.
“I think the poll is appropriate because of the work we put in last season,” said Busch. “The polls fuel our fire to do better than anticipated, and we are ready to prove everyone wrong.”
According to Sacred Athletics, last season the Pioneers finished fourth in the NEC with a 9-8-2 record, earning them a bid into the playoffs. The Pioneers were taken down in the first round by the championship favorite CCSU.
The Pioneers hoped to bounce right back in the fall the following year, but their season was postponed until the spring due to COVID-19.
It had been 461 days since the Pioneers played their last match before they played a 0-0 double overtime draw against Fordham University on Feb. 10 in the Bronx, N.Y. Sophomore goalkeeper Elyssa Kipperman registered four saves.
“Playing that first game, we were all really high-intensity,” said senior Hannah Proodian. “We were all really excited and just ready to go back out on the field.”
The Sacred Heart Athletics program allowed the women’s soccer team as well as other sports to work out and practice during their vacant season in the fall. Coach Matt Micros, in his third year as the head coach, made sure his team was ready to go in the spring.
“Coach wanted us to be in the best shape and to play as much as possible during the off season to be prepared for the spring season,” said Busch. “We all had the right mentality to work as hard as we could in the off season so that we could have a successful spring season.”
According to Sacred Heart Athletics, the structure of the NEC playoffs has been changed as well. Instead of the top four teams qualifying, just the top two teams will qualify and face off in a single elimination championship game on the weekend of April 16.
A slew of young talent and depth will be brought to the field this year at Sacred Heart with 31 players returning this season, as well as 13 freshmen being added to the squad.
“I think it’s amazing how much talent and range we have on this team,” said junior Mia Nikolakopoulos. “As much of a struggle it can be sometimes with such a large roster, it is incredibly motivating and impressive to know that you are surrounded by a lot of talented young females.”
On Feb. 18, the Pioneers will head up to Storrs, Conn. for a matchup against the University of Connecticut Huskies. Then, Sacred Heart has one more non-conference game against St. John’s University on Feb. 25 before beginning conference play against Fairleigh Dickinson on Mar 2.
“We want a ring. That’s an overall goal for the team. Win every game, every conference game, make it to the conference again, and just beat everyone,” said Proodian.
