2024 Union women’s soccer season preview

Barbourville, Ky. - The Union Commonwealth University women's soccer team kicks off its 2024 regular season on Saturday, Aug. 24, with a match against Georgetown College at 5:00 p.m.

To preview the upcoming season, here is a Q&A session with head coach Carnell Learmond.

What are your expectations for this season?

Our expectation for this upcoming season is to see our program take a positive step from our previous past two seasons. We have managed to build a strong foundation over the last two years, and we're looking to build on that foundation.

What goals have you set for your team?

The goal is to stay true to our team culture and traditions. We want to be mentally prepared for a long season.

 Are there specific skills or areas of the game you'd like to focus on improving during the preseason?

We added 14 new faces to our roster this fall. Our focus this preseason was mainly on our team dynamic and principles that showcase our team culture.

 What strengths do you see in your team this year?

 I believe our team chemistry will be our biggest strength this year. It is not easy to add that many new faces to a roster and have them click. So far, we've managed to do a good job with that.

Which returning players are you most excited about?

I am excited for all our returners. This is an opportunity for them to lead the program into the right direction. Players like Zoie Shepard, Chiara Isanto, Alyssa DeMascio and Miranda Cardona just to name a few.

Are there any newcomers or transfers who you believe could make a significant impact this season?

All our newcomers bring something different to the table that impacts how we play. However, I am excited to see freshman Alberta Yirenkyi from Ghana and Alexis Schweitzer, and how they adapt to a new environment. Erin Sylvester, Dionte Delpeche, and Giana Hilton bring international experience to our program that we're all excited to see on display.