BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Navy women’s soccer team claimed the top spot in the 2021 preseason poll with 154 points and 14 first-place votes, when it was announced by the League office on Tuesday.
Boston University earned the second position in the poll with 132 points, while Colgate tallied five first-place votes and compiled 128 points for third place. Army West Point placed fourth with 112 points followed by Loyola Maryland with 104 points and one first-place vote to round out the top five. Lehigh tallied 82 points for sixth place, followed by Lafayette (77), Holy Cross (46), Bucknell (45) and American (20).
Boston University senior forward Jenna Oldham, a 2020-21 first-team honoree, was named the preseason offensive player of the year, while 2020-21 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Midfielder of the Year, Navy senior Victoria Tran received preseason midfielder of the year recognition. A 2020-21 Patriot League first-team member, Colgate senior Ruby Diodati earned preseason defensive player of the year.
The Raiders led the way with four student-athletes on the preseason All-League team, including senior forward Adrienne Vaughn, senior midfielder Hannah Pinkus, sophomore defender Lyna Schaffer, and Diodati. Loyola and Navy placed two players each, while Army West Point, BU and Lehigh had one apiece. Navy’s Tran was joined by teammate senior defender Avery Fries and Loyola junior forward Ada Tempert and junior goalkeeper Paige Sim were all named to the preseason squad. Army junior midfielder Lauren Drysdale, BU’s Oldham, and Lehigh senior defender Erin Keefe rounded out the 11-member team.
All 11 preseason all-league members were named to the 2020-21 Patriot League Women’s Soccer first-, second-, or third All-Patriot League teams, with six on the first team, three on the second team and two on the third team. Oldham, Tempert, Drysdale, Pinkus, Tran, and Fries were on the 2020-21 first team, while Vaughn, Diodati and Keefe earned second-team honors, and Schaffer and Sim 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.
2021 Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Jenna Oldham, Boston University, Sr., F, Lithia, Fla./Newsome
* Oldham finished the 2020-21 season leading with the team in points (5) and assists (3).
* Oldham completed last season tied for second in assists and shots per game (3.25) in the Patriot League.
* Following the 2020-21 season, Oldham was named to the All-Patriot League First Team.
2021 Patriot League Preseason Midfielder of the Year
Victoria Tran, Navy, Sr., M, Clarksville, Md./River Hill
* Last season, Tran led the Mids in points (8), goals (3) and assists (2) in eight games played.
* Her eight points and three goals were also good for first in the conference.
* Tran’s 2020-21 accolades include Patriot League Midfielder of the Year, Patriot League Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year, All-Patriot League First Team member.
* She was also named to the United Soccer Coaches All-North Region First Team and the U.S. Coaches Women’s Scholar All-America Second Team, along with garnering honors on the CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team and the CoSIDA Academic All-District II First Team.
2021 Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Ruby Diodati, Colgate, Sr., D, Mendon, Mass./Worcester Academy
* A 2020-21 All-Patriot League Second Team honoree, Diodati led Colgate in points (6) for the second-straight year after scoring one goal and dishing four assists.
* The senior’s four assists led the Patriot League and was tied for first in a single season since 2013 at Colgate.
* The Mendon, Mass. native enters her senior season at Colgate with four goals and nine assists for 17 points.
* Diodati was also named to the Patriot League Women’s Soccer All-Tournament Team.
2021 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Jenna Oldham, Boston University, Sr., F
2021 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Preseason Midfielder of the Year: Victoria Tran, Navy, Sr., M
2021 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Ruby Diodati, Colgate, Sr. D
2021 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Preseason All-League Team
Jenna Oldham, Boston University, Sr., F
Adrienne Vaughn, Colgate, Sr., F
Ada Tempert, Loyola Maryland, Jr., F
Lauren Drysdale, Army West Point, Jr., M
Hannah Pinkus, Colgate, Sr., M
Victoria Tran, Navy, Sr., M
Ruby Diodati, Colgate, Sr., D
Lyna Schaffer, Colgate, So., D
Erin Keefe, Lehigh, Sr., D
Avery Fries, Navy, Sr., D
Paige Sim, Loyola Maryland, Jr., GK
2021 Patriot League Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
Navy – 154 (14 first-place votes)
Boston University - 132
Colgate – 128 (5)
Army West Point – 112
Loyola Maryland – 104 (1)
Lehigh – 82
Lafayette – 77
Holy Cross – 46
Bucknell – 45
American – 20
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.