HAMILTON — The Colgate women's soccer team takes the pitch for the first time on Thursday when it travels to Rhode Island to take on Providence College at 6 p.m.

"I am really excited about this season for our program. I can't commend the group enough for all of the hard work they have put into making this an environment that they are proud to be a part of and have a hand in continuing to build," said head coach Lyndse Hokanson.

Colgate returns 20 players from last year's squad that finished 7-8-2, including a 3-4-2 mark in Patriot League play.

"I think that we are incredibly deep all over the field in a way that makes for a lot of exciting opportunities moving forward," Hokanson said. "Our staff is super pleased with how pre-season has gone thus far and the strides that we have been making on and off the field and hope to see that translate as the games start to roll."

Colgate has two fifth-year players returning, including goalkeeper Grace Poncsak and midfielder Emily Amano. Poncsak posted a .746 save percentage and 1.28 goals-against average during the 2021 campaign. She also made 50 saves and logged three shutouts. Amano tallied five points by two goals and one assist last season. She also fired 18 shots on goal and scored one game-winning goal.

Amano, along with junior forward Sara Anelli and senior defender Abbie Grady will serve as team captains this season. 

Junior forward Ally Giovino notched seven goals for the Raiders last season. A First Team All-Patriot League selection, Giovino finished third in the conference in goals and fourth in points. She also scored three game-winning goals which was third-best in the Patriot League.

The Raiders also return junior midfielder Maddie Cappillo and sophomore forwards Paige Foa and Cara Schmidlein, who all registered a goal last season.

Defensively, junior Lyna Schaffer and senior Merritt Smith helped anchor Colgate's backline that posted five shutout wins last fall.

The Raiders also welcome a talented group of first-years to the program. The eight-player Class of 2026 includes three defenders, three midfielders, and two forwards.

After traveling to Providence on Thursday, Colgate welcomes Iona for its home-opener on Sunday at 6 p.m. It will be the first of 10 games at Beyer-Small '76 Field.

Colgate has nine Patriot League games on the calendar, including home contests against Loyola (Sept. 17), Boston University (Sept. 21), Army (Oct. 8), Lehigh (Oct. 12), and Lafayette (Oct. 22).