CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Mount St. Joseph women's soccer team were victorious Tuesday with a dominating win over Bluffton University 8-0. The result gives the Lions a second consecutive HCAC League Championship! The win puts the program undefeated (8-0-1) in HCAC for the third time in five seasons (2021, 2024, 2025).
It is hard to imagine topping what was a record breaking 2024 season which saw the MSJ graduate 12 seniors whom accumulated 11,000 minutes and accounted for 65% of the teams scoring. The 2025 squad which is younger, brought just as much firepower as they rank 1
st in HCAC scoring (34 goals), goal differential (+29), and secured 6 shutouts only allowing 5 goals against in HCAC play. Standouts in the attack were led by forward
Kendal Fox with 11 goals, 6 of which were game winners (both lead HCAC) for a total of 25pts that tops conference was impressive alongside midfielder
Mary Anhofer who led all HCAC with 10 assists, her 18 points total ranked second in HCAC. Newcomers
Elizabeth Birri and
Preslee Rugg both stepped up as Rugg tallied 7 goals (top 3 in HCAC) in her first campaign with 17 points while Birri notched 1,200 minutes on the backline and added 3 goals as a defender.
The backline and midfield saw an overhaul from 2024 but that did not deter their production as key contributions from
Layla Youtsler (captain),
Rachel Ginn,
Lindsey Bevak,
Khloe Young, Lena Schirripa saw all players reach over 1,100 minutes in action. Throughout the season defenders
McKinzie Dotson and
Payge Callahan came up big with goalkeeper
Megan Kallmeyer as they bolstered a backline with 6 shutouts and an In-Region Record of 10-4-3 on the season.
McKinzie Dotson, last year's MVP from HCAC Playoffs stated, "It was an overall team accomplishment- we have superbly talented players but we rely on the team style of play to all attack and all defend. We train and compete every day at practice to push one another and I believe in my teammates to always be there in the big moment!"
Coach Gallagher mentioned "I am truly proud of the group following what was a special 2024 season- we came together and took on the challenge of repeating as champions. That included a very difficult non-conference schedule and travel to begin the season. I credit the four seniors (
Layla Youtsler,
Bailey Dotson,
Abby Cole and
Rose Barnes) as they have been the 'glue' to our program since their arrival in 2022. They are totally committed to being great teammates and relentless in their pursuit of winning. That selfless outlook pushed the class before them but also built camaraderie with the next generation behind them."
Since Gallagher took over in 2021 the Lions have won 4 championships and seek their 5
th as the HCAC playoffs begin with MSJ as the #1 seed. MSJ Women's Soccer is an impressive 37-3-4 in HCAC regular season competition since 2021. With two wins in the HCAC Playoffs MSJ looks to punch their second consecutive NCAA Tournament bid!
In winning the regular season HCAC title the Lions have earned the #1 seed and will host every game they play in the tournament. Their road to another NCAA tournament begins at home on Tuesday, Novemember 4th at 7:00 PM when they will host the winner of #4 Hanover vs. #5 Anderson.
