LACEY, Wash. – The Saints' women soccer program enters 2021 with an influx of new talent ready to prove the GNAC wrong after being selected eighth in the GNAC Coaches' Preseason Poll on Wednesday.
 
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The Falcons of Seattle Pacific look poised to claim the GNAC title, earning six of the eight first place votes to lead the way with 62 points. Western Washington, who received the final two, finished second at 57 points.
 
Northwest Nazarene (44 points), Central Washington (37), and Western Oregon (30) made the middle of the standings. Simon Fraser and MSU Billings tied for sixth at 22 points, followed by the Saints at 14.
 
There will be little to no questions in 2021 where the Saints' strengths lie in 2019 second team All-Conference goalkeeper Ali Campigotto returning. The sophomore started all 11 games for the Saints in the COVID 2020-21 season, recording 63 saves, with one shutout victory, and a .685 save percentage.
 
Leading the offense for SMU will be senior Kiersten Madsen, who broke out in 2020 with five goals, and an assist. Madsen scored four goals in a three-game span, and three of her five goals came from penalty kicks. Another veteran who will provide leadership will be defender Daeh Lindquist, who enters the season with over 3,000 minutes of experience in the backline.
 
However, the Saints are loaded with young promising talent, that saw some action in 2020. Freshman Rachel Kimura, and Payton Aselton both started 10 matches, and combined for one goal and three assists. Sophomores Taylor Goodpaster and Justine Pauly each punched home one goal in 2020.
 
Other notable returners include Elisabeth Cole, who saw action in all 11 matches, along with Mia Fleming, and Maddie Wolff in the midfield.
 
The Saints welcome nine new student-athletes who will take the field for the first time in 2021.
 
Saint Martin's opens the preseason against Centralia College on Friday at 3:00 PM. Saint Martin's opens the regular season on the road in Missouri on September 3.