LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This year's crop of seniors for the Bellarmine University women's soccer team would like nothing more than to end their respective careers in the same manner in which most of the elder stateswomen started them for BU.

Back in 2011, when the majority of the team's current seniors were freshmen at Bellarmine, the Knights achieved a landmark season by winning their first-ever Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championship and compiling the most overall wins (16) and GLVC victories (12) in program history. Many of the team's rookies played key roles during that magical season.

And the wealth of success didn't end there. After going 16-3-3 in 2011, the Knights followed with a 14-4-2 campaign in 2012 and an 11-6-2 season in 2013.
 

Now the veterans of the team, the accomplished seniors have helped Bellarmine position itself once again for a run at a conference title. The Knights (7-2-2, 5-1-2 GLVC) are tied for third place in the league heading into this weekend's home games against Drury (5-2-3, 3-2-3) at 3:55 p.m. (ET) on Friday and Missouri S&T (4-6-0, 4-4-0) at noon on Sunday at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium. The latter contest with the Miners has been designated as BU's Senior Day. Fans unable to attend may follow both games on live stats.

"Senior Day is always a special day for the players, families and the program," BU Head Coach Chris Tinius said. "We have a big group that has dedicated four years to this program and is still in the process of shaping the legacy they will leave. Their contributions will be deservedly celebrated on Sunday.

"It also should not be overlooked that this particular group has been through a unique situation with a coaching transition in their final year," added Tinius, who was hired by BU in June after a highly successful stint as an assistant and associate head coach at Western Kentucky. "That can oftentimes be hardest on the players that have been around the longest and have gotten used to a certain way of doing things. I'm sure there have been some things they have liked and some they haven't, but I want to thank them for working through the process and helping ensure that their final season is a success."

Here's a peek at the respective career of each senior and the significant contributions each has made to the tremendous success of the program:

Mackenzie Barringhaus, midfielder: Barringhaus has become a mainstay in the starting lineup this season for the Knights. The native of St. Louis has logged over 20 starts during her career and contributed to a BU defense that has ranked in the top five in school history in fewest goals allowed each of the past three seasons. Last season, she tallied two assists in a victory over GLVC rival St. Joseph's. Barringhaus is an Academic All-GLVC selection.
--Coach Tinius on Barringhaus: "Mackenzie is a good attacking back. Her tenacity and energy on the field is contagious and very important for our team."
 Ashley Boyd, midfielder: Boyd has been a regular on the Academic All-GLVC team since she arrived at Bellarmine. The Louisville native was a member of the 2011 GLVC Tournament championship team. She's battled injury this season, but helped the team with film study and scouting through her lensing of games.
--Coach Tinius on Boyd: "I haven't been able to work with her on the field due to injury, but she has found other ways to contribute to the program and we appreciate those contributions."

McKenzie Combs, forward: As a freshman, Combs played a pivotal role in the Knights' run to their first-ever GLVC Tournament championship. In the semifinals against Wisconsin-Parkside, the native of O'Fallon, Missouri, made a perfect pass in overtime that led to the game-winning goal just 34 seconds into the extra session. In 2012, the Academic All-GLVC selection led the Knights in assists with five, with multiple coming from her vaunted "flip throw" on throw-ins.
--Coach Tinius on Combs: "Unfortunately, I didn't get to work with her for very long due to the injuries she sustained, and some of the rehab protocol she has performed has kept her away from the team. It will be great to have her back around the group this weekend."

Taylor Gamm, defender: A three-year starter and defensive stalwart for Bellarmine, Gamm has been recognized on the All-GLVC team for her play and for her academic prowess on multiple occasions and has also been selected to the All-Midwest Region team. The native of Union, Kentucky, has logged 50 starts in her career and helped spearhead defenses that ranked in the top five in school history in 2012 and 2013.
--Coach Tinius on Gamm: "Taylor is a solid player and solid leader for this group, which is exactly what you want your seniors to be. She and Maura (Gorman) have been in communication with me since day one, and I owe a lot of the transition process to them."

Maura Gorman, midfielder: During her career at Bellarmine, Gorman has been a consistent presence on the Academic All-GLVC team. Last season, the native of Medina, Ohio, netted a goal and an assist in a victory over Tiffin. The senior midfielder has played in every game this season and scored a goal in the season opener.
--Coach Tinius on Gorman: "Maura is an energized leader. Her focus on performing her role for the betterment of the team should be an example to others."
 

Emily Hollander, midfielder: As a freshman, Hollander buried perhaps the most important shot in program history. In the 2011 GLVC Tournament finals, the native of Prospect, Kentucky, sank the deciding penalty kick in a shootout that gave the Knights their first-ever conference tournament title. In 2012, she recorded a hat trick in a game against league rival St. Joseph's. This season, she tied a school record by registering three assists in a victory over Kentucky Wesleyan. Hollander is an Academic All-GLVC selection.
--Coach Tinius on Hollander: "Emily is a great kid. When she really accelerates, she is very dangerous on the flanks with a great left-footed service."

Abby Janszen, forward: One of the most prolific offensive players in program history, Janszen ranks in Bellarmine's all-time top 10 in points (43, sixth), goals (13, tie for eighth) and assists (fourth, 13). The native of Burlington, Kentucky, has been selected to the All-GLVC team as both a player and a student. As a freshman, Abby led the winningest team in program history and the 2011 GLVC Tournament champions in points and assists and tied for the team lead in goals.
--Coach Tinius on Janszen: "The example Abby sets with her work rate, selflessness and humility is more important than any soccer skill she has and is invaluable to this team."

Emily Mintman, defender: Mintman transferred to Bellarmine after playing two years at Belmont. Last season, the Louisville native helped the Knights' defense allow the fifth-fewest amount of goals in school history. This season, the Academic All-GLVC selection has once again provided valuable depth on the backline.
--Coach Tinius on Mintman: "Emily is a hard-working player and solid one-on-one defender. She strives to get the most out of herself in everything that she does."

Hunter Teague, midfielder: Teague was a member of the landmark 2011 team that captured the program's first GLVC Tournament title and won the most games in school history. The work of the Louisville native in the midfield helped the Knights produce two of their best-ever years on defense in 2012 and 2013.
--Coach Tinius on Teague: "Hunter is a gifted technical player and the type of person that can get along with and link almost everyone on the team."