COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican women's soccer team begins the 2023 campaign at home this week with contests on Thursday and Saturday. The Panthers will face off against West Virginia State, who are receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll, and Indianapolis.

The Black and Gold ended last season with a 5-8-4 record overall and a 5-6-3 mark in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. ODU looks to improve this fall under first year head coach, Tony Daniels.

About Ohio Dominican

The Panthers return 20 from the squad last season, including Nyah Daniels (Norwalk, Ohio) and Kailyn Ciborowski (Oregon, Ohio), the team's leading scorers. The pair netted four goals apiece in their freshman campaign. Joining them is junior Devin Schoenberger (Redondo Beach, Calif.). The California native grabbed two goals and an assist last fall.

Seniors Jadelyn McNerney (Springboro, Ohio) and Kaitlin Grady (Twinsburg, Ohio) return between the posts for their final season in the black and gold. The two split time last season with McNerney recording 70 saves and Grady grabbing 31 saves.

Since the Division II Era, Ohio Dominican has recorded a season opening record of 4-7-2, going only 1-3 when opening the season at home. The Panthers haven't opened the regular season at Panther Stadium since the 2018 season where they hosted Saginaw Valley State.

About West Virginia State

The Yellow Jackets ended the 2022 campaign 17-3-2 overall and 13-1-2 in the Mountain East Conference, good enough to capture the MEC South Division title. WVSU made it to the NCAA Division II Tournament, falling out in the second round to West Chester.

State welcomes newly appointed head coach Brandon Slewa. Returning to play under Slewa is All-MEC First Team and All-Atlantic Region Second Team selection Esther Dhiramo. Joining her is Laura Galindo, Paula Herold, and Maxima Bellscheidt, All-MEC Second Team Honorees.

The Yellow Jackets were voted second in the MEC South Division Preseason poll. The two, West Virginia State and Ohio Dominican, have never faced off in the Division II Era.

About Indianapolis

The Greyhounds capped last season with a 5-7-5 overall record and a 4-4-4 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, making it into the GLVC Tournament. UIndy was selected to finish seventh in the GLVC Preseason Poll.
Entering her first season at the helm for the Hounds is Kelli Beheler. Returning on the back line is Uma Yadav Masso, Maddy Theis, and Makenna Nickens in the net. Beheler also welcomes Iowa transfer Sabrina Shaw, Alabama State transfer Kayleigh O'Neal, and Detroit Mercy transfer Genevieve Crocker.

Indianapolis holds a 3-1 mark over Ohio Dominican within the Division II Era. The Panthers gathered their first Division II win against the Hounds to open the 2010 season, winning 1-0 in Indianapolis. UIndy opens their season on Thursday at fellow G-MAC institution, Cedarville.

Game Time

Kickoff against West Virginia State is set for 5:00 PM on Thursday afternoon. Action continues on Saturday against Indianapolis at 3:00 PM, all from Panther Stadium.