Elon, N.C.- The Elon Women's Soccer team has been predicted to finish sixth in the upcoming season as voted by the Coastal Athletic Association. Senior goalie
McKenna Dalfonso and junior midfielder
Kennedy Jones have also been selected to the Preseason All-CAA Honorable Mention.
For the third consecutive season, the Phoenix have been projected in the top half of the CAA table, and for the second straight season they have been picked to finish sixth. The two preseason selections also mark the third straight year that the Phoenix have had multiple players earn preseason honors.
Dalfonso returns for her senior season ranking top ten in Elon women's soccer history among goalkeepers in shutouts (19), goalkeeper career games (44), and goalkeeper minutes played (4,001). Over her Phoenix career, Dalfonso has earned the CAA Defensive Player of the Week honor four times and was selected to the TopDrawerSoccer National Team of the Week for her six-save performance against Towson in the CAA regular season finale. Dalfonso has been immaculate at Rudd Field during her time with the Phoenix. The Sewell, N.J. native has not allowed a CAA goal at Rudd Field since the 2021 season and has only surrendered a lone goal over her last six matches at Rudd.
Kennedy Jones returns for her junior season as a staple holding midfielder for the Phoenix. Last season Jones started in all 16 games she appeared in. The Charlotte native played the full 90 minutes in 10 of those 16 contests. She helped the Phoenix to six shutouts, including three during CAA play. Jones scored the first Phoenix goal of the season against American in a 3-0 victory and scored in Elon's 2-1 victory over the College of Charleston in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
The Phoenix will open their season on the road at Howard on Aug. 17. Elon will open the Rudd Field campaign when they take on former Southern Conference opponent Wofford on Aug. 20.
2023 CAA Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
|
School (1st) |
Points |
| 1. |
Monmouth (6) |
124 |
| 2. |
Northeastern (1) |
123 |
| 3. |
Hofstra (3) |
117 |
| 4. |
Towson (1) |
112 |
| 5. |
Drexel (1) |
111 |
| 6. |
Elon |
86 |
| 7. |
Campbell (1) |
80 |
| 8. |
William & Mary |
62 |
| 9. |
UNCW |
61 |
| 10. |
Stony Brook |
59 |
| 11. |
Charleston |
40 |
| 12. |
Delaware |
27 |
| 13. |
Hampton |
12 |
2023 Preseason All-CAA Women's Soccer Team
| Name |
School |
Cl. |
Pos. |
Hometown |
| Vivian Akyirem * |
Northeastern |
So. |
F |
Kumasi, Ghana |
| Kayla Burroughs |
UNCW |
Jr. |
F |
Asheboro, N.C. |
| Nia Christopher * |
Towson |
Sr. |
F |
Devonshire, Bermuda |
| Ivey Crain |
William & Mary |
So. |
F |
Milton, Ga. |
| Delaney Lappin * |
Drexel |
Sr. |
F |
Corbin City, N.J. |
| Wiktoria Fronc * |
Hofstra |
So. |
M |
London, England |
| Jessie Hunt |
Northeastern |
Sr. |
M |
Edina, Minn. |
| Annalena O'Reilly |
Drexel |
R-Sr. |
M |
Ardmore, Pa. |
| Lauren Bruno |
Monmouth |
Sr. |
D |
Manalapan, N.J. |
| Laney Peabody |
Campbell |
R-Sr. |
D |
Solana Beach, Calif. |
| Catharina von Drigalski |
Stony Brook |
Gr. |
D |
Oberursel, Germany |
| Riley Melendez |
Towson |
Sr. |
GK |
Springfield, Va. |
2023 CAA Preseason Player of the Year: Vivian Akyirem, Northeastern
* Received at least one vote for Preseason Player of the Year
There was a tie for the final spot on the team, hence the 12-player list.
Honorable Mention: McKenna Dalfonso, GK, Elon; Lily Dunbar, D, Drexel; Jasmine Hamid, M, Towson;
Kennedy Jones, M, Elon; Alexis Legowski, M, Northeastern; Makaya Parham, D, UNCW; Dagny Run Petursdottir, M, Hofstra; Grace Powell, M, Charleston; Caitlin St. Leger, M, Delaware; Holland Stam, GK, Northeastern; Shae Yocum, D, Charleston
