Bridgewater, N.J. – The Le Moyne College women's soccer team were selected 9^th in the preseason polls ahead of the 2025 campaign, as voted upon by the coaches in the NEC.
 
There were a few changes to the preseason poll from the 2024 season, as the Bison of Howard University are favored to finish first following seven 1^st place votes. CCSU, who did not receive a 1^st place vote, was the preseason favorite for six consecutive seasons. The Bison come off a season in which they won their first-ever conference championship against the Knights of FDU.
 
The Dolphins have nine new faces joining the team, including a new assistant coach in Dylan Killian, and welcomes back twenty-one returners to the squad.
 
Amongst the returners is graduate student midfielder Danielle Casey (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa), who finished the season with a team-high 12 points after recording 4 goals and 4 assists throughout the year. Casey was also the only Dolphin to receive conference player of the week recognition from the NEC, and finished with the 2^nd most minutes played on the team. Danielle captains the side for the second year in a row
 
Another familiar face in her second year with Le Moyne is fifth year midfielder Gabriella Sylstra (Little Falls, N.Y./Little Falls/Richard Bland/Old Dominion). Sylstra started in 17 matches last season, of which only three players had started more. She finished the season with 3 points after tallying a goal and an assist throughout the year. Sylstra is also a captain of the Dolphin squad.
 
Joining her fellow captains, junior midfielder Giovanna Vigliotti (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) returns for her third year with the Dolphins. Vigliotti is one of just two players on the team who started every match during the 2024 season, bringing back a lot of valuable experience within NEC play.
 
The fourth captain of this side, senior midfielder Lindsey LeBlanc (Westminister, Mass./St. Bernard's), also brings a lot of experience to the squad. LeBlanc ranked 4^th on the team in total minutes played, and is just one of six players who played in every single game of the 2024 season.
 
Sophomore Nicole Calle (Providence, R.I./Cumberland) also returns to the 'Phins following a successful first year with Le Moyne. She finished the season with a total of 5 points, the 2^nd most on the team, after scoring 2 goals as well as adding an assist to her tally.
 
Senior Jasmina Barhoumi (Worms, Germany/Nelly-Sachs-IGS/D'Youville) brings the most experience to the team, finishing the 2024 campaign with the most minutes played for the Dolphins. Barhoumi is one of two players to start every game for the 'Phins, finishing the year with 3 assists.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Mikayla McPheron (Rome, N.Y./Rome Free Academy) returns in net for the Dolphins, following an impressive first year with the 'Phins. She currently holds the program record for most saves in a single game (16), a record she set against Stony Brook n September 9^th, 2024. She finished the season with a total of 89 saves over 1,313 minutes of game play.
 
NEC Season Preview:
 
The Dolphins begin conference action on September 18^th against Chicago State on Ted Grant Field. A season ago, the two programs tied 1-1 after Grabriella Sylstra put away a penalty kick late into the second half. Chicago state finished its season with a record of 1-13-2 overall and 1-7-2 in conference play, and were picked 11^th in the NEC preseason poll.
 
Le Moyne hits the road the following Thursday to take on the Hornets of Delaware State on September 25^th. Both programs met at Ted Grant Field last season, resulting in a 6-0 win for Le Moyne. Several 'Phins recorded both a goal and an assist during the match, which included Danielle Casey (1G, 2A), redshirt sophomore Logan Cookinham (Poland, N.Y./Poland) (1G, 1A), and Nicole Calle (1G, 1A). Jasmina Barhoumi also added 2 assists to her tally. Delaware State finished it's season with a record of 0-17-1 overall and 0-9-1 in, and were selected 12^th in the NEC preseason poll.
 
Three days later, the Dolphins take on the Knights of FDU at Ted Grant Field on September 28^th. The Knights bested the 'Phins in last seasons contest by a result of 3-0. FDU, who were picked 2^nd in the preseason poll a season ago, made it to the conference championship game, where they were bested by Howard by a score of 2-1. FDU finished its season with an overall record of 8-6-6 and 7-2-1 in NEC action, and were picked 2^nd overall in the preseason poll.
 
The Dolphins are scheduled to play the Lakers of Mercyhurst University on Thursday October 2^nd in Erie, Pa. The two programs have history stemming back to 1989, when the Lakers defeated the Dolphins 4-1. Mercyhurst, in their second year in the NEC, earned a 3-1 victory against Le Moyne in last year's matchup. The Lakers finished the season with an overall record of 4-11-4 and 3-4-3 in NEC play, while being picked 8^th in this years preseason poll.
 
Le Moyne returns to Ted Grant Field the following week as they host the Bison of Howard University on October 9^th. Howard, who won the NEC Championship in 2024, beat the Dolphins in a close-knit 1-0 contest on their home field. After securing the NEC title, the Bison went to the NCAA Tournament, drawing the Duke Blue Devils during the NCAA Selection Show Monday. The Blue Devils beat the Bison 8-0 to advance to the next round. Howard finished the season with an overall record of 11-5-5 and 8-1-1 in conference action. They were also selected 1^st overall in the coaches preseason poll.
 
The 'Phins travel to Brookville, N.Y. on October 12^th to take on the LIU Sharks. When the two programs met last season at Ted Grant Field, LIU took the 2-1 win, as Daniele Casey scored the lone goal for Le Moyne. LIU finished the season with an overall record of 5-10-1 and 4-5-1 in conference play. The Sharks were selected 6^th overall in the NEC preseason poll.
 
The Dolphins return back to Ted Grant Field on the 19^th of October to host the Seahawks of Wagner College. Wagner, who lost to FDU in the semi-final of the 2024 NEC Women's Soccer Tournament 3-0, took the victory over Le Moyne in a 1-0 game. Wagner finished the season with an overall record of 8-5-6 and 7-1-2 in conference play. The Seahawks were also selected 3^rd overall in the preseason poll.
 
Le Moyne will be in New Britain, Conn. on October 23^rd as they take on the Blue Devils of CCSU. The Blue Devils took all of the points after defeating Le Moyne 1-0 on Ted Grant Field. CCSU, who had been the previous preseason favorite for each of the last six years, were picked 4^th overall in this edition of the preseason polls. They finished their 2024 campaign with an overall record of 5-10-2 and 5-4-1 in conference action.
 
Welcoming the latest addition to the NEC, the Chargers of New Haven and the Le Moyne Dolphins share an extensive history between the two programs. Both teams competed in the NE-10 at the Division II level, stemming back to 1993. The Dolphins currently hold a 10-6-1 record over the Chargers all-time. Le Moyne and New Haven are scheduled to meet again on October 26^th in West Haven, Conn. The Chargers finished their last season in the NE-10 with an overall record of 3-9-6 and 0-5-5 in conference play. The newest member of the conference was selected 10^th in the preseason poll.
 
The 'Phins are scheduled to take on another familiar opponent, the Stonehill Skyhawks, on October 30^th at Ted Grant Field. The two teams also share an extensive history stemming back to their days in the NE-10. Stonehill made it to the conference tournament in the 2024 season, falling to the top-seeded Howard Bison by a score of 2-1. Stonehill had the advantage against the 'Phins last season, as the Skyhawks went on to win 3-0. Stonehill finished 8-10-1 overall, 7-2-1 in conference play, and were picked 5^th in the preseason poll.
 
The Dolphins conclude their regular season on November 2^nd as they take on the Red Flash of Saint Francis in Loretto, Pa. When the two sides met on Ted Grant Field last season, both teams were held to a scoreless draw, with each side leaving with a point. Saint Francis announced earlier this year that they will be transitioning to a Division III institution, potentially putting an end to the series. Saint Francis finished the regular season with an overall record of 6-9-3 and 4-5-1 in conference play. They are projected to finish 7^th overall according to the coaches preseason poll.