Stonehill College’s women’s soccer program has cemented its reputation as a consistent contender in the Northeast Conference, finishing fifth in the 2026 NEC Preseason Coaches’ Poll for the second straight year. The Skyhawks will open their 2026 campaign on August 13 at home against New Hampshire at Skyhawk Field, a venue that has become a familiar battleground for the team.
Leading the poll, the defending champion FDU earned seven first‑place votes, followed by Central Connecticut State in second and Wagner in third, setting a competitive backdrop for Stonehill’s ambitions. Howard University also marked the preseason landscape with its third straight postseason appearance in 2025, underscoring the depth of talent across the conference.
Head coach Alex Wilson, now in her 14th season, brings a blend of stability and fresh energy, overseeing a roster that includes 25 returning players and nine newcomers. Among the returnees, sophomore Dani Lomuscio and senior Kayla Cassidy earned All‑NEC honors last year, highlighting their impact on both ends of the field.
Senior Annie Renz contributed a career‑high four assists and six points in 2025, adding versatility to the midfield. The offensive production of Hannah Anselmo, a two‑time NEC Offensive Player of the Year, will be missed after she signed a professional contract with AEK Athens WFC in Greece, leaving a void that the Skyhawks hope to fill.
A Defensive Identity Takes Shape
Defensively, the trio of Lily Roslonek, Lindsey Brown and junior Meghan Dowd will anchor the backline, with Brown scoring her first collegiate goal and all three logging over 4,600 minutes in the previous season. Between them they played 4,650 of 4,860 possible minutes across 18 contests, showing durability and an unexpected offensive spark.
In goal, junior Allie Sougaris has been the starter for three seasons, posting six wins and four shutouts in 2025, and will once again be the last line of defense. With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, Stonehill aims to translate its preseason respect into a playoff berth, a goal that has eluded them by a narrow margin in the previous year.