MANCHESTER, N.H. – On Tuesday morning, the Saint Anselm College women's soccer team announced its schedule for the 2023 season.
 
Entering his sixth season at the Hilltop, head coach Joel Bancroft will look to continue the Hawks momentum after a successful 2022 season. The Hawks finished with a 10-7-2 overall record and 5-6-1 record in conference play last year. Saint Anselm clinched a playoff berth as the fifth seed and defeated Southern Connecticut State University in the quarterfinals of the Northeast-10 Championship by a 2-1 final score. The Hawks would fall in the semifinals, 5-1, to the College of Saint Rose who were ranked No. 6 nationally in the NCAA Division II by the United States Coaches.
 
For the second-consecutive year, Saint Anselm was selected to play in the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship where they battled No.3-ranked University of Bridgeport for a First Round matchup. The Hawks post-season run came to an end after falling in penalty kicks to the Purple Knights.

"Every season is unique unto itself," said head coach Bancroft. "We do not carry over expectations. We feel good about what we've accomplished in the last two seasons as we look to continue to improve, grow and represent the community in the very best way possible. A majority of our group has experience playing in the biggest of matches in both the conference and NCAA tournaments. With a lot of work, belief, and a little luck we hope to have the same opportunities this season."

On the leadership side, the Hawks will have senior Alexandra Baltas (Worcester, Mass.), senior Tara McCleary (Quincy, Mass.), and graduate student Kathryn White (Georgetown, Mass.) wearing the captains armband. "In addition to that, our leadership council will be comprised of senior Olivia Gotobed (North Andover, Mass.), junior Riley DiGilio (Danvers, Mass.), and sophomore Addie Birkett (East Greenwich, R.I)," commented Bancroft. 

Saint Anselm will be adding nine first years to their 2023 roster. "Our incoming first years are an exciting group of accomplished student-athletes," said head coach Bancroft. "They will make an immediate positive impact on our program and in turn, will have an incredible experience on the Hilltop."
 
The Hawks have 17 matches lined up for the upcoming season featuring 13 Northeast-10 matches and four non-conference games. Saint Anselm will open their 2023 season at Lynn University on Friday, September 1st, marking the first match between the Hawks and the Fighting Knights. 
 
The 2023 home opener will take place on Wednesday, September 13th on Melucci Field against Bentley University. Other notable games to watch out for include Franklin Pierce on Tuesday, September 19th, College of Saint Rose on Saturday, October 7th, and Adelphi University on Saturday, October 21st.