2022 Season Preview 2022 Season Notebook

2022 SEASON

NOTEBOOK

The west virginia University women’s soccer team returns to the pitch for its 27th season in 2022, kicking off the campaign against first-time opponent indiana on Thursday, august 18 . The Mountaineers’ 2022 slate is highlighted by five home, nonconference matchups, as well as an exhibition against rival Pitt to open home action . wvU will kick against seven opponents, including a pair of Big 12 foes, that qualified for the 2021 NCaa Tournament . in all, west virginia is set to host 10 contests at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown . wvU is led by a strong group of seniors this year, with three fifth-year seniors – defender Jordan Brewster, goalkeeper Maddie Murphy and forward Lauren Segalla – electing to take advantage of their extra year of eligibility thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Brewster and Segalla served as co-captains in 2021, while Segalla led the team in goals and Brewster anchored wvU’s back line . in addition to the three super seniors, the remainder of the Mountaineers’ senior class is made up of seven well-experienced student-athletes, four of whom played 1,000 minutes or more last season . additionally, the powerhouse senior class was responsible for 14 of the squad’s 31 goals in 2021 . as the Mountaineers look ahead to opening a new season, the team has set its focus on positivity, purpose and a power to work to reach its peak performance and get 1% better every day . Here’s what you need to know heading into the new campaign: • This season marks the 27th year of wvU women’s soccer . The only coach in program history, Nikki Izzo-Brown has led the

Mountaineers to a 372-127-61 mark. • WVU is coming off a 10-5-5 campaign last season . The squad extended its streak of 10 wins or more in a season to 22 years and advanced to the semifinals of the Big 12 Championship. • west virginia welcomes back 18 letterwinners off the 2021 squad, including eight starters . • The Mountaineers were voted to finish third in this year’s Preseason Big 12 Poll . • wvU adds nine newcomers to the mix this season, including a trio of transfers who bring

Power 5 experience with them to Morgantown . • Fifth-year seniors Jordan Brewster, Maddie

Murphy and Lauren Segalla return to lead the squad this season, taking advantage of their fifth year of eligibility in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. • Brewster represented wvU on the 2022

Preseason All-Big 12 Team. The North

Canton, ohio, native was selected to the team for the fourth straight year . • Three of West Virginia’s four 2021 All-

Big 12 honorees return to the squad this season, including first teamer Brewster.

Senior goalkeeper Kayza Massey was honored on the second team, while sophomore forward Dilary Heredia-Beltran was named to the All-Freshman team.