Women's Soccer 2023 Season Preview

FROSTBURG, Md. – Frostburg State Athletics will be taking a preview of each team competing in the fall season, covering eight total sports. Over the next three weeks, each team will be broken down into their expectations, key players, and overall outlook for their season and program. First to be covered is Women's Soccer.

Overall
Frostburg State Women's Soccer will play its 30th season this fall in their 2023 season. Head Coach Brian Parker will enter his 22nd season with the team.

Last Season
FSU finished 18-2-2 in 2022, with a conference record of 14-1-1, earning their third-straight division championship. In the MEC Tournament, the Bobcats made their second consecutive Championship Game appearance, narrowly losing to rival Fairmont State on penalty kicks. Parker led the team to their first ever Division II NCAA Tournament as the Atlantic Region's two seed, where they fell to Kutztown in the first round. The team allowed the fourth-fewest goals in program history, while also topping all of Division II in shutout percentage (.682). Frostburg brought home plenty of accolades, with Hannah Thompson and Abbey Dennis named United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-Americans, as well as earning D2CCA All-Region Honors along with Toni Fiocco-Mizer. Dennis also became the program's second-ever United Soccer Coaches All-American, also earning First Team Academic All-American, MEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and was the MEC Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. Parked earned himself MEC Coach of the Year, leading seven of his players to All-MEC Honors.

The Returners
A substantial number of key players return from last season's historic run, though the team will need to replace some senior leadership with the gradations of Dennis, Charlotte Davis, and Caroline Burton. The Bobcats do bring back an experienced unit, with senior Ashley Bilger in goal, who put up 54 saves for a .818 save percentage last season. Junior Katie Sterne provides competition for the starting role, appearing in eight games last season and only conceding once on 20 shots faced. Both will be surrounded by returning defenders in juniors Cat Smith and Mei Homman, along with sophomore Skylar Ehart. The midfield will feature several returning upperclassmen in seniors Thompson and Lela Clark and juniors Keely Knotts and Carolyn DeSena. Sophomore Carly Gillette will look to build on a strong starting role in her freshman season, one of a few sophomores also expected to step up their play. The front line is led by Fiocco-Mizer, who led the team with 14 goals and five assists last season. She's joined by juniors Mackenzie Alonso and Madi Allen, as senior Dez Mortimer and sophomore Morgan Mrizek all provide competition for places and goals.

The Newcomers
Parker will have seven new faces on his roster this upcoming season, adding seven new freshmen to the mix. Chelsea Pettyjohn and Grace Sarver come in as forwards, while Amanda Hawbecker and Madison Hinton will serve as midfielders. Ella Combs and Abby Noftsier will look to defend Mia Graff in goal.

Kick Off to Season
The Bobcats will open their season on Friday, September 1 at 7 PM as they will travel to Boyds, MD to face Shippensburg. FSU opens MEC play in their first home game of the season, as they host the Falcons of Notre Dame College on Sunday, September 10 at 4 PM.

For more information and upcoming previews, visit frosburgsports.com