NEW YORK — The Columbia women’s soccer team reported to campus this week to begin its preseason training schedule. The Lions held their first team practice Tuesday morning at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium.
“We are thrilled to welcome back such an incredible group of talented student-athletes that have been working hard since last spring to take this program to new heights,” noted head coach Tracey Bartholomew. “Our expectations for our program are always high; we will fight to win an Ivy Championship, get into the NCAA tournament and make a run in it.
“This year we have experience throughout the team that should help us manage the game better and also build upon our style of play. Our student-athletes have outstanding technical ability and our tactical awareness will help us evolve and grow throughout the season. We are excited to see things come together; we are rooted in the journey and getting one percent better every day.”
Columbia is coming off a 9-6-1 campaign in 2021, notching its fifth consecutive winning season under head coach Tracey Bartholomew. The 2022 season will mark her eighth year as head coach of the Lions, who returned three All-Ivy League selections. Junior Nata Ramirez highlights the group, scoring a team-high 10 goals and accumulating 24 points in her first collegiate season as a sophomore. The striker went on to earn First Team All-Ivy and Third Team All-Region honors. Meanwhile, Columbia also returns sophomores Sophia Cavaliere and Marcia Ojoeach of whom earned Honorable Mention All-Ivy status as first years.
The 2022 roster consists of four first years, 12 sophomores, 14 juniors and five seniors. Six of those players are new this season, which includes all four first years, a junior transfer, and a sophomore transfer.
The Lions begin the season at home on Sunday, August 28, when they take on St. John’s. Kickoff from Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 2 pm ET.
For the latest on the Columbia women’s soccer program, follow @CULionsWSOC on Twitter and Instagram, on Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaWSoccer and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.