WAVERLY, Iowa – Wartburg women's soccer is set to open the 2023 season at home against Hope College on Friday, Sept. 1 with kickoff at Salzwedel Field set for 1 p.m.
 
Last Season
The Knights finished the 2022 season with an overall record of 16-2-3 and an American Rivers Conference record of 6-1-1. After a double overtime loss in the A-R-C tournament semifinals, Wartburg earned its 10^th overall and fifth-straight NCAA Tournament berth with an at-large bid. The Orange and Black hosted the first and second rounds of the tournament, where they defeated Grinnell College 5-2 before falling to Washington University-St. Louis (Mo.) in the second round.

The Knights had six athletes earn All-Conference honors a season ago, as well as another named an honorable mention. Sarah Campbell and Kate Luers both earned First-team All-Region honors and Joy Smith and Marissa Lopez earned Second-team All-Region honors. Campbell was also named a First-team All-American by the United Soccer Coaches, the program's inaugural First-team honoree.



Season Outlook
The Orange & Black will return four starters from a season ago, including All-Conference honorable mention Avery Mize. After losing such a large senior class from a season ago, the Knights look to an experienced group of juniors and seniors to step up.

"They started right away," said head coach Emily Ryan of the upperclassmen leadership heading into this season. "They've led the team and have done a phenomenal job of continuing the progression were looking for," continued Ryan.

Women's soccer will welcome a group of 10 first-year athletes in 2023. Coach Ryan is excited about the group of newcomers as a whole and what they can provide to the program.

"We've got every different position and every different personality, so collectively it's going to be an exciting bunch." said Ryan.

The United Soccer Coaches released its preseason poll with Wartburg coming in at No. 23. The Orange and Black have two ranked opponents on the schedule with an away match at No. 13 University of Wisconsin- La Crosse and a home match against No. 15 Loras.

Ryan spoke about the benefit of a tough non-conference schedule: "We'll face different formations and styles of play and the overall competitiveness of the schedule will help gear us up for another highly competitive year in the A-R-C.".

The Knights open the season Friday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. against an unfamiliar foe in Hope College in what will be the first matchup between these programs.