BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Navy women’s soccer team claimed the top stop in the 2020-21 preseason poll with 162 points and 18 first-place votes, when it was announced by the League office on Tuesday.
Army West Point earned the second spot in the poll with 128 points, while Colgate tallied one first-place vote and compiled 104 points. Boston University placed fourth with 98 points followed by Loyola Maryland with 92 points and one first-place vote to round out the top five. Lafayette tallied 90 points for sixth place, followed by Holy Cross (68), Lehigh (67), Bucknell (62) and American (23).
Lafayette senior Krista Kissell, the 2019 offensive player of the year, was named the preseason offensive player of the year, while Boston senior McKenna Kennedy received preseason midfielder of the year recognition. The 2019 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year, Army senior goalkeeper Sydney Cassalia earned defensive player of the year.
The Black Knights led the way with three student-athletes on the preseason All-League team, including sophomore forward Alyssa Carfagno, senior defender Mia Padon and Cassalia. Lafayette, Loyola and Navy all placed two players each, while Boston, Bucknell and Colgate had one apiece. Lafayette’s Kissell was joined by teammate senior midfielder Sophie Saldivar, Loyola’s junior forward Sarah Bayer and senior defender Julia Gray, and Navy senior forward Kristina Dzhandzhapanyan and junior midfielder Victoria Tran. Also on the team was Kennedy, Bucknell senior defender Chloe Christakos and senior midfielder Sage DiGiulio.
Nine of the 12 preseason all-league members were named to the 2019 Patriot League Women’s Soccer first-, second-, or third All-Patriot League teams, with four on the first team, three on the second team and two on the third team. Kissell, Bayer, Dzhandzhapanyan and Cassalia were on the 2019 first team, while Carfagno, Tran and Gray earned second-team honors, and DiGiulio and Saldivar received third-team recognition.
The preseason poll and individual awards were voted on by the women’s soccer coaches and sports information directors from each institution, with restrictions on voting for their team and student-athletes.
Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Krista Kissell, Lafayette, Sr., F, Cresco, Pa./Notre Dame
* Kissell finished last season with four goals and led the team and Patriot League with six assists.
* The 2019 offensive player of the year finished tied for third in the Patriot League in points (14).
* In 2019, Kissell was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-North Region Second Team.
Patriot League Preseason Midfielder of the Year
McKenna Kennedy, Boston University, Sr., M, Millbury, Mass./Millbury Memorial
* Starting in 18 games in 2019, Kennedy was named defensive player of the week after holding Army and Lehigh both to single-digits shots.
* Kennedy was named to the 2019 preseason All-Patriot League team and to the All-Patriot League Tournament Team in 2018.
Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Sydney Cassalia, Army West Point, Sr., GK, Omaha, Neb./Elite Academy
* The senior finished the 2019 season with 66 saves, six shutouts, a 0.91 goals-against average and a .776 save percentage in 22 games played.
* Cassalia comes into her senior year with a career 0.90 goals-against average, an .817 save percentage, and 241 saves.
* Cassalia’s 2019 accolades include Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year, First-Team All-Patriot League member, United Soccer Coaches’ All-North Region Second Team member, and Patriot League All-Tournament Team honoree.
2020-21 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Preseason All-League Team*
Alyssa Carfagno, Army West Point, So., F
Krista Kissell, Lafayette, Sr., F
Sarah Bayer, Loyola Maryland, Jr., F
Kristina Dzhandzhapanyan, Navy, Sr., F
McKenna Kennedy, Boston University, Sr., M
Sage DiGiulio, Colgate Sr., M
Sophie Saldivar, Lafayette, Sr., M
Victoria Tran, Navy, Jr., M
Mia Padon, Army West Point, Sr., D
Chloe Christakos, Bucknell, Sr., D
Julia Gray, Loyola Maryland, Sr., D
Sydney Cassalia, Army West Point, Sr., GK
* Due to a tie in voting there are four forwards and four midfielders the Preseason All-League Team
2020-21 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Krista Kissell, Lafayette, Sr., F
2020-21 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Preseason Midfielder of the Year: McKenna Kennedy, Boston University, Sr., M
2020-21 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Sydney Cassalia, Army West Point, Sr., GK
2020-21 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
Navy – 162 (18 first-place votes)
Army West Point – 128
Colgate – 104 (1)
Boston University – 98
Loyola Maryland – 92 (1)
Lafayette – 90
Holy Cross – 68
Lehigh – 67
Bucknell – 62
American – 23
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.