CBU is Set to Begin 2024 Campaign on Thursday Evening
8/14/2024 10:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
RIVERSIDE--- California Baptist's women's soccer program is set to kick off its 2024 campaign on Thursday evening as it welcomes CSUN for the first official match of the 2024-2025 CBU Athletic Year. The Lancers have begun their season with a pair of scrimmages against a few solid teams and have welcomed 16 players to the 36-man roster to help elevate their play this season.
Most notably, Head Coach Kristen St. Clair returned Marcella Brooks, Taylor Summit, and Jayden Ramirez for their final seasons in a CBU uniform. The trio brings experience and confidence to an otherwise younger squad and is crucial to the team's success this season. Summit was named the 2024 WAC Preseason Defender of the Year just after being recognized as a 2024 United Coaches NCAA Defender to Watch this season. The center-back has been very successful in the backline of the Lancer's defense these past four years, and this year is shaping up to be no different. Brooks and Ramirez are also coming off solid previous seasons, combining for ten goals during their 2023 campaign. Brooks was injured halfway through the year and has returned for her sixth season, while Ramirez is set to control the midfield again this year.
The Lancers have welcomed 16 new faces to the squad, including four transfers and 12 freshmen. Bella Lister joins CBU from the University of North Texas as a goalkeeper and has already shined bright during an exhibition match against California State University, Fullerton. The Canadian native commands her box well and has an impressive jump that has aided in top-corner shots. The pick-up is huge for St. Clair's squad after 2023 WAC Goalkeeper of the Year Noa Schumacher graduated last season. Paige Ingram is a sophomore from Seton Hall University, while Rilee Harmon from California and Grace Blumfeldt from Xavier are both seniors.
California Baptist will open its 18-game schedule with a homestand against CSUN and will end the first week of regular season play against #23 USC. The Trojans have made the NCAA Tournament every season for the last eight years and most recently made it to the second round after taking down WAC Champions Grand Canyon in 2023. The Lancers are coming off a very successful 2023 season that saw just two losses and was cut too short for their outstanding record. The first away trip of the year will come during the second week as the Lancers will face the Air Force and Colorado State in Colorado. Other notable matches include a game on the road at Portland and the infamous Crosstown Showdown against UC Riverside. Western Athletic Conference play will begin at the end of September, beginning with Southern Utah at home and ending with Grand Canyon in Riverside. The WAC Tournament is set to take place at the beginning of November in Abilene, Texas.
St. Clair returns for her 18th season at CBU. She boasts a 210-80-39 overall record, making her the winningest coach in CBU Soccer history. Tim Strader has stepped into the associate head coach position, and Tyrone Martin returns to the squad as an assistant coach. The staff also welcomed CBU Men's Soccer alum Albert Escuin as an assistant goalkeeper coach, while Carissa Christensen will take on the role of director of operations.
