Army West Point Athletics
Women's Soccer Picked Second in Patriot League, Cassalia Preseason Defensive POY
February 16, 2021 | Women's Soccer
WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army women's soccer team was picked to finish second in the Patriot League preseason poll, it was announced this morning.
The Black Knights garnered 128 points to earn the second spot in the poll behind Navy's 162 points and 18 first place votes. Colgate was selected third with 104 points and earned one first place vote.
Senior goalkeeper Sydney Cassalia was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after earning 2019 Patriot League Women's Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year. Cassalia finished 2019 with 66 saves, six shutouts, a 0.91 goals-against average and a .776 save percentage in 22 games played. She enters her senior season with a career 0.90 goals-against average, an .817 save percentage and 241 saves. Cassalia's long list of 2019 accolades include Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year, First-Team All-Patriot League member, United Soccer Coaches' Association All-North Region Second Team and Patriot League All-Tournament Team honoree.
The Black Knights led the way with the most selections on the preseason All-League team, including sophomore forward Alyssa Carfagno, senior defender Mia Padon and Cassalia. Cassalia earned 2019 All-Patriot League first team honors, while Carfagno was a second team honoree in 2019.
The preseason poll and individual awards were voted on by the women's soccer coaches and sports information directors from each institution, with restrictions on voting for their team and student-athletes.
2020-21 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason All-League Team*
Alyssa Carfagno, Army West Point, So., F
Krista Kissell, Lafayette, Sr., F
Sarah Bayer, Loyola Maryland, Jr., F
Kristina Dzhandzhapanyan, Navy, Sr., F
McKenna Kennedy, Boston University, Sr., M
Sage DiGiulio, Colgate Sr., M
Sophie Saldivar, Lafayette, Sr., M
Victoria Tran, Navy, Jr., M
Mia Padon, Army West Point, Sr., D
Chloe Christakos, Bucknell, Sr., D
Julia Gray, Loyola Maryland, Sr., D
Sydney Cassalia, Army West Point, Sr., GK
* Due to a tie in voting there are four forwards and four midfielders the Preseason All-League Team
2020-21 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Krista Kissell, Lafayette, Sr., F
2020-21 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason Midfielder of the Year: McKenna Kennedy, Boston University, Sr., M
2020-21 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Sydney Cassalia, Army West Point, Sr., GK
2020-21 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
Navy – 162 (18 first-place votes)
Army West Point – 128
Colgate – 104 (1)
Boston University – 98
Loyola Maryland – 92 (1)
Lafayette – 90
Holy Cross – 68
Lehigh – 67
Bucknell – 62
American – 23
The Black Knights garnered 128 points to earn the second spot in the poll behind Navy's 162 points and 18 first place votes. Colgate was selected third with 104 points and earned one first place vote.
Senior goalkeeper Sydney Cassalia was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after earning 2019 Patriot League Women's Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year. Cassalia finished 2019 with 66 saves, six shutouts, a 0.91 goals-against average and a .776 save percentage in 22 games played. She enters her senior season with a career 0.90 goals-against average, an .817 save percentage and 241 saves. Cassalia's long list of 2019 accolades include Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year, First-Team All-Patriot League member, United Soccer Coaches' Association All-North Region Second Team and Patriot League All-Tournament Team honoree.
The Black Knights led the way with the most selections on the preseason All-League team, including sophomore forward Alyssa Carfagno, senior defender Mia Padon and Cassalia. Cassalia earned 2019 All-Patriot League first team honors, while Carfagno was a second team honoree in 2019.
The preseason poll and individual awards were voted on by the women's soccer coaches and sports information directors from each institution, with restrictions on voting for their team and student-athletes.
2020-21 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason All-League Team*
Alyssa Carfagno, Army West Point, So., F
Krista Kissell, Lafayette, Sr., F
Sarah Bayer, Loyola Maryland, Jr., F
Kristina Dzhandzhapanyan, Navy, Sr., F
McKenna Kennedy, Boston University, Sr., M
Sage DiGiulio, Colgate Sr., M
Sophie Saldivar, Lafayette, Sr., M
Victoria Tran, Navy, Jr., M
Mia Padon, Army West Point, Sr., D
Chloe Christakos, Bucknell, Sr., D
Julia Gray, Loyola Maryland, Sr., D
Sydney Cassalia, Army West Point, Sr., GK
* Due to a tie in voting there are four forwards and four midfielders the Preseason All-League Team
2020-21 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Krista Kissell, Lafayette, Sr., F
2020-21 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason Midfielder of the Year: McKenna Kennedy, Boston University, Sr., M
2020-21 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Sydney Cassalia, Army West Point, Sr., GK
2020-21 Patriot League Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
Navy – 162 (18 first-place votes)
Army West Point – 128
Colgate – 104 (1)
Boston University – 98
Loyola Maryland – 92 (1)
Lafayette – 90
Holy Cross – 68
Lehigh – 67
Bucknell – 62
American – 23
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, May 27
Saturday, May 23
Monday, May 11
Thursday, April 30