With a promising blend of returning talent and impact newcomers, the Bellarmine Knights Women’s soccer team enters the 2023 season with elevated expectations. 

After posting a 1-7-9 overall record and 1-4-3 mark in ASUN play last year, the Knights are aiming to take a step forward under second-year Head Coach Paul Babba. Anchoring the team are 10 returning players who logged at least 400 minutes last season, led by sophomore forward Alexa Orozco.

Orozco enjoyed a stellar freshman campaign, earning ASUN All-Freshman Team honors after tallying 3 goals. Her continued development as a scoring threat will be vital for the Knights’ attack. Joining Orozco up front is senior Brielle Heuglin, the team’s leading shot taker returning after taking 28 shots, 11 on goal, last season. 

The midfield will lean on the experience of seniors like McKenna Hamm and forward Sophie Bish. Bish led the team with 2 assists last year while Hamm is a tireless two-way player. They’ll be pushed by talented newcomers like Emma Nicholson, a transfer from Kentucky who appeared in 24 games for the Wildcats.

On defense, the Knights were stingy last season, surrendering just 15 goals. Starting goalkeeper will be a battle between UK transfer Natalie Schutte and returner Cambria Kingman but they will be aided by a back line featuring Australian import Teagan Douglas and returners like Katie Gawrys.  

The Knights recently tuned up for the regular season with a pair of road exhibitions against DI foes, losing 0-3 at Indiana and winning 2-1 at Indiana State. The blowout loss against the Hoosiers showcased the Knights’ defensive issues from last season are still not yet resolved, but they were able to rebound and get a nice win versus the Sycamores.  

Bellarmine will take those lessons into the regular season, which begins August 20 at home against Northern Kentucky. With a balanced squad and manageable 11-game ASUN slate, the Knights have high hopes of contending for the conference crown. 

Key games include September home matchups with Lipscomb and FGCU, last year’s top two ASUN regular season finishers. The season finale against rival Eastern Kentucky should also have postseason implications.

With Coach Babba at the helm, this looks to be an exciting year for a program on the rise. Backed by budding stars like Orozco and veterans like Hamm and Bish, the Knights are ready to make noise in the ASUN in 2023.

Make sure to stick to Bluegrass Soccer Cast (@BGSoccerCast on all social media platforms) for full coverage of the Bellarmine Women’s Soccer team and everything soccer in our beautiful Commonwealth.

(Photo: Bellarmine University Athletics)