The Blackburn College Women's Soccer Team enters the 2016 season with increased optimism as the team's seven returning starters will be joined by the program's largest recruiting class in recent memory. Fifteen new players will be joining the team this fall. This season's non-conference schedule includes ten matchups against NCAA Division 3 opponents. The 2015 team finished 7-11 overall and 3-6 in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Last year's team also displayed outstanding sportsmanship as the team was issued only one caution during the entire season.
Seniors Annaliese Darow and Christy Hobbs return as starters on defense and will be looked upon to provide leadership to the young squad. Hobbs returns for her fourth season while Darow will be representing Blackburn for the second season after transferring from Benedictine-Springfield. Likely to join Hobbs and Darow on the backline is junior Jessica Esper and sophomore Adriana Darow. Adriana Darow contributed seven goals and seven assists playing primarily center mid as a freshman. Esper has started matches all over the field during her first two seasons providing both timely goals and physical defending. Joining them in the backfield are a host of newcomers who will provide much appreciated depth including sophomore Whitney Chesser and freshman Sarah Ruyle and Brittany Grasyson.
The offensive attack will be led by a pair of returning starters who have won multiple SLIAC Player of the Week honors. Junior Meghan Sykora returns with 18 goals and 14 assists in her career. Sophomore Christin Miller had a breakout season in 2015 scoring 14 goals in addition to dishing three assists. Adding depth at the forward positions include freshman Maya March, Annie Gantt, Kayla Hewlett, Makayla Ewing, and Leah Bilbruck.
The midfield will include many new faces. Sophomore Jasmine Tillman returns after an injury brought her season to an end five games into her first campaign. Joining her are freshman Morgan Adams, Skylar Burgar, Megan Purington, Samary Garcia, and Allison Lutz.
The goalkeeping duties will also be handled by a pair of freshman in Ashley Hoban and Becca Richards.
The team will begin their season with three straight road matches including an opening day match at Monmouth College followed by two matches in Milwaukee. Opponents in Milwaukee include first time opponents Crown College (MN) and Mills College (CA). The team's first home match will be Wednesday September 7th v Knox College.