PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State women's soccer team will kick off its 2025 campaign at home, taking on Castleton at 4 p.m. on Friday, August 29.

The Cardinals are coming off a 5-11-1 season, including a 4-4-1 record in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play. Although the team fell short of qualifying for the conference tournament, they have a strong opportunity to break through this year with a solid core of returning players and a promising group of newcomers.

Head Coach Whitney Frary, entering her fourth season with the Cardinals, will look to a well-balanced group to help offset the loss of eight seniors from last year. Among the most notable departures are two-time All-Conference goalkeeper Lauren Haley and two-time All-Conference defender Casey Granger. To strengthen the roster, the Cardinals will welcome 16 newcomers eager to make their mark in 2025.

"We are excited for a new and exciting team this season, " said head women's soccer coach Whitney Frary. "The new talent along with leadership and experience of the returning players make for an optimistic vision for what we can accomplish. The energy in practice and early team chemistry have already shown promising signs of what's to come."

Forwards

The forward group features a young and talented unit, led by seniors Claire Bottjer (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Our Lady of Lourdes) and Hannah Myers (Peru, N.Y./Peru), who are set to anchor the Cardinals' offensive charge. Bottjer tied for the team lead in goals last season with three, while Myers—recently named one of the team's three captains—started every game she played in last season.

The Cardinals welcome junior transfer Lilley Keyser (Keeseville, N.Y./AuSable Valley) from the highly competitive William Smith College, where she brings experience and potential to make an immediate impact this season. Returning forwards include senior Sally Gliganic (Stony Brook, N.Y./Ward Melville), junior Maria Mauro (Farmingdale, N.Y./Plainedge), and sophomores Bailee Lafountain (Mooers Forks, N.Y./Northeastern Clinton), Leah Warren (Lisbon, N.Y./Lisbon), and Jenna McDonald (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem East).

Joining the forward group this year are newcomers Kamryn Bezio (Keeseville, N.Y./AuSable Valley) and Alana DeLaCruz (Albany, N.Y./Shaker), both eager to contribute in their debut season.

Midfielders

The returning 2025 group is anchored by three seniors and one junior. The senior trio includes Kelly Licata (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North), Kathy Peterson-Ross (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest), and Jillian Bezio (Keeseville, N.Y./AuSable Valley). Licata logged 1,107 minutes last season, started 15 games, and tied for the team lead in goals with three. Peterson-Ross played 1,095 minutes, starting every game she appeared in and contributing one goal. Bezio made six starts and recorded one assist.

Joining the group is junior transfer Sydney Myers (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Saranac), who is expected to be one of the most impactful players for the Cardinals. She earned Third Team All-Northeast-10 Conference honors and was named to the All-Rookie Team during her time at Division II St. Rose, where she also received First Team All-East Region recognition as a first-year. Most recently, Myers competed for Southern Connecticut State during the 2024–25 season, where she led the team with 25 points on nine goals and seven assists. Sophomore Laci Roberts (Mooers, N.Y./Northeastern Clinton) also returns to the unit, providing valuable depth to the group.

The incoming midfield group features Jadyn Baker (Syracuse, N.Y./Marcellus), Lauren Marotta (Fonda, N.Y./Fonda-Fultonville), Brianna Merrill (Wallkill, N.Y./Wallkill Senior), Addison Shultis (Duanesburg, N.Y./Schalmont), and Olivia Stallone (Farmingville, N.Y./Sachem East).

Defenders

The Cardinal backline will be anchored by senior Alexis Patrick (Burnt Hills, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) and Amy Crowley (Wallkill, N.Y./Wallkill). Patrick started 13 games last season, recording one goal and one assist. Crowley logged the most minutes of any returning player, having started every game in which she appeared.
 
Junior Lia Parker saw significant action last season, starting every game she appeared in and totaling 1,143 minutes. Fellow juniors Ellie Graney (Buffalo, N.Y./City Honors) and Grace Reeve (Voorheesville, N.Y./Clayton A. Bouton) will look to challenge for playing time this year, along with sophomore Anni Schneider (Latham, N.Y./Shaker).

First-year additions to the Cardinals' defensive unit include Sophie Miller (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Beekmantown), Mariah Nowicki (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa), Ireland McGowan (Stony Brook, N.Y./Ward Melville), Leeana Antonini (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham), and Lindsey Marotta (Fonda, N.Y./Fonda-Fultonville). This group will aim to contribute to a skilled and deep backline for the Cardinals.

Goalkeepers

With the departure of Lauren Haley, the Cardinals' starting goalkeeper position will be up for grabs in 2025. Returning juniors Lily Bailey (Warwick, N.Y./Warwick Valley) and Brook Lynn DaSilva (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown West) will vie for the starting spot alongside newcomers, sophomore transfer Desiree Dubois (Champlain, N.Y./Northeastern Clinton Central) and first-year Sophia Vandemark (Beekman, N.Y./Arlington).