INDIANAPOLIS – Cleveland State women's soccer has been selected to finish sixth in the Horizon League Women's Soccer Preseason Poll, as voted upon by league head coaches, the Horizon League announced on Wednesday.
The Green and White received 91 votes, which are 18 votes more than Wright State, selected to finish right behind Cleveland State in the seven spot.
The Vikings enter this season after a 6-4-0 spring season, finishing fifth in the league. Cleveland State ended its spring campaign on a three-game winning streak, narrowly missing the four-team playoff.
Returning for the Vikes this season is the reigning Horizon League Freshman of the Year Kathryn Ramicone. The Strongsville, Ohio, native finished as the top point scorer in the league with 14, thanks to five goals, which tied her for the league lead, paired with four assists.
Also returning to the pitch for Cleveland State is 2021 All-Horizon League First Team member Maddie Young. Young scored four times and distributed three assists during a month-long five-game point streak from Feb. 10 through March 10. With four goals and four assists on the season, Young finished as Cleveland State's second-leading scorer and tied for third in the Horizon League points race.
Captains for the Vikings this season are seniors Essence Canady and Helena Novatsidis. Canady, who enters her fifth year as a member of the Vikings women's soccer program, has appeared in 50 games (48 starts) over her four-year career, tallying six goals and two assists for 14 points, while Novatsidis is set to begin her fourth season suiting up for the Green and White.
Cleveland State will play in a "normal" 20-match fall schedule. The Vikings will begin their season with a home contest against Kent State on Thursday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. In honor of the team's return to Krenzler Field, Cleveland State Athletics t-shirts will be given away to the first 100 CSU students in attendance, in addition to free bacon. Cleveland State will face off against all 11 #HLWSOC opponents throughout the course of the season, with six home matches and five road contests. Boyer's squad will open league play on Thursday, Sept. 16 versus IUPUI at 6 p.m. at Krenzler Field.
Fans of Cleveland State women's soccer are invited to join the Viking Fund by visiting www.csuvikings.com/VikingFund. The financial support benefits all 330+ student-athletes as they become champions in the classroom, in the community and through competition. For more information on the Viking Fund, contact Assistant Athletics Director Brandon Longmeier at b.longmeier@csuohio.edu or call (216) 630-2974.
Fall 2021 #HLWSOC Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
- Milwaukee – 130 (9)
- Northern Kentucky – 120 (1)
- Oakland – 112 (1)
- UIC – 111
- IUPUI – 104
- Cleveland State – 91
- Wright State – 73
- Youngstown State – 46 (1)
- Green Bay – 44
- Purdue Fort Wayne – 42
- Detroit Mercy – 41
- RMU – 22
