SEASON OUTLOOK
TOLEDO, Ohio - A talented, deep roster will be at Head Coach TJ Buchholz's disposal as the Toledo women's soccer team prepares for the upcoming 2021 season. After playing just seven contests during a COVID-shortened campaign last spring, the Rockets are ready for a fresh start. Toledo kicks off the season with road contest at Purdue Fort Wayne (Aug. 19) and Cincinnati (Aug. 22) before returning to the Glass City on Aug. 26 for its home opener against Detroit.
 
Buchholz is excited to see how his newcomers will fit in with his veteran group.
 
"We know we have some good core players back that we are very excited about," Buchholz said. "We just need to find out what our freshmen are going to bring to the table. There are some spots for our freshmen to make their mark and I'm looking forward to see who will step up."
 
The Rockets will have a slightly larger roster size this season due to an extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA. That additional depth will lead to increased competition for playing time.
 
"If our seniors wanted to come back, we wanted to give them that opportunity," Buchholz said. "We had quite a few do that which is going to create more competition than you would see in a typical year. People will have to fight for spots and playing time. We have a challenging program, and our players will just have to push through and show they are the best player on the field."
 
Buchholz believes the increased depth will allow the Rockets to improve from both an offensive and defensive standpoint.
 
"I think we're going to be more balanced as a group," Buchholz said. "Several young players made key contributions for us last spring and that provides us a lot of confidence. They were thrown into the fire after we were battered by injuries, especially from a defensive standpoint. They had to step up and did a great job. Our hope now is that with more stability on our back line we will see more possession time offensively that will result in more scoring opportunities."
 
FORWARD
Junior Stephanie "Stitch" Currie and sophomore Ellie Pool are expected to lead the Rockets up front from their wing positions. They each earned MAC All- Freshman Team honors and will be looking to take another step forward with additional experience under their belts.
 
"Stitch had a great summer and I think she's primed to have a breakout campaign this year," Buchholz said. "Ellie had a very good freshman year even though we moved her around a bit. I think they both can be key contributors for us this fall."
 
Other returning players who figure to be in the mix up front are senior Anita Mancini, junior Brooke Stonehouse, sophomore Caylee Jozefov, sophomore Madison Medalle as well as incoming freshmen Mia Leonetti and Brittney Probst. Buchholz also said that senior Sophia Lewis and freshman Jenna Foley could provide some impact offensively later in the season after recovering from injuries.
 
MIDFIELD
Seniors Ashton Cassel and Claire Cahalan are back to lead the midfield, with sophomore Grace Turski also ready to emerge after starting six of seven contests last spring.
 
"Ashton and Claire both possess tons of experience and will be big pieces in the midfield for us," Buchholz said. "Grace really came along as a freshman and started to turn it on later in the spring. Those are likely going to be our starters at midfield based on what they have shown they can do on the field."
 
Senior Elbony Rodriguez, sophomore Emily Mann as well as the freshman trio of Olivia Dault, Miranda Sullivan and Chloe Tadolini also will be vying for minutes.
 
DEFENSE
The Rockets will have plenty of options to turn to on their back line after being shorthanded due to injuries last year.
 
"We have shored up our defense with the addition of transfers and incoming freshmen," Buchholz said. "We have some established veterans back, but there is going to be some fierce competition from other returning players and newcomers."
 
Senior Betsy Lueck is expected to be the leader of this group after starting much of the last two seasons at left back. Junior Kaitlyn Maciejewski and Marcy Clark along with freshman Alexys Ladue also are expected to provide valuable depth behind Lueck.
 
Junior Rylee Michaels started on the right side last year and will be challenged by senior Payton Sullivan as well as by Clark.
 
Sophomores Vanessa Jones and Rachel Kraysovic are returning starters in the central midfield, with transfers Sissy Novak and Adele Stradling as well as freshman McKenna Schultz competing for playing time.