Helen Bonner, a sophomore defender on the Navy women's soccer squad, has been selected to the 2026 Preseason All-Patriot League Team, a testament to her breakout freshman campaign.
During her rookie year she logged a team-high ten complete games, amassed 1,436 minutes between the posts and contributed three goals and an assist, including scores against Sacred Heart, Boston University and Bucknell.
Navy finished the previous season with a 9-6-4 record, falling just one point short of the tournament, and returns five of its top seven goal scorers while welcoming a fresh influx of nine newcomers.
Head coach Carin Gabarra, now in her 35th year at the helm, is aiming for the program’s 11th Patriot League regular-season title and its 27th NCAA tournament appearance, a goal that has become a staple of the team’s identity.
The 2026 schedule opens on August 12 with a home contest against Robert Morris, kicking off at 5 p.m., and the coaching staff hopes the early momentum will carry them through a competitive league slate.
A Promising Outlook
With veterans like Jessica Black joining the freshmen cohort that includes Bella Conti, Nadia Zaffanella, Helene Tyburczy and Ella Poppinga, the squad blends experience with youthful energy.
The coaching staff and players alike are confident that the defensive solidity and offensive spark that defined Bonner’s freshman year will continue to evolve, positioning Navy as a serious contender for the league crown.