LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Callie McKinney era has arrived for the Bellarmine University women's soccer team.

After beginning her time with the Knights as a graduate assistant in 2020 before soon becoming a full-time assistant, McKinney is in her first season at the helm of the program after being promoted to head coach.

"Becoming the head coach has been such an honor and privilege," McKinney said. "There has been some adjusting regarding the role, but it has been a very smooth process. I have some great mentors and support."

Bellarmine had a three-win improvement in 2023, posting a 4-9-5 record after going 1-7-9 in 2022. The Knights nearly tripled their goal total from the previous year but also conceded nearly twice as many scores, so finding a middle ground is bound to lead to even more success. Players who accounted for 14 of the team's 18 goals last season are back.

"I think we improved well throughout the 2023 season," McKinney said. "We have some key pieces and have grown within our playing style and principles. Now it is about putting everything together that we have worked on and going out there and performing."

As a head coach, McKinney said Bellarmine will have fundamental elements to its style of play, but she also wants to have flexibility dictated by the team personnel's strengths.

"As far as offensive and defensive philosophies, I like to see the key qualities of our players to determine how we want to set up offensively and defensively tactically," McKinney said. "However, we have our set principles that define the way we want to attack and defend."

Here's a projected position-by-position breakdown of the 2024 Knights:

GOALKEEPERS
Bellarmine returns all four of its goalkeepers from last season in seniors Cambria Kingman and Natalie Schutte, redshirt sophomore Shelby Smith and redshirt freshman Morgan Rose.

Bellarmine split halves in goal the vast majority of last season, so the Knights have plenty of game experience protecting the net. Kingman (three wins, 1.47 GAA, .776 save %) made the most appearances with 15, and Smith (1.53 GAA, .772 save %) followed closely with 14. Schutte (1.00 GAA, .889 save %) made four appearances.

"This group of women are committed to their craft as goalkeepers," McKinney said. "They show up every day ready to attack the day. Having a new goalkeeper coach (former All-Sun Belt and Troy player Lindsey LaRoche), they have come in with open mindsets and have adjusted nicely. They are a strong group of young women who have unwavering belief in each other, are very competitive to pushing each other to get better while being a close group that always has fun."

DEFENDERS
Bellarmine has plenty of seasoning in front of the goalkeeping corps as well. At center back, returning starters from 2023 include redshirt junior and team captain Sidney Rigsby (one goal, 1,362 minutes) and sophomore Teagan Douglas (one assist, 1,437 minutes).

Junior Emily Passini (one goal, one assist, 1,332 minutes) started at outside back last season and could see time in the middle this year. Redshirt junior Alexa Orozco (two goals, one assist, 1,018 minutes), a 2022 ASUN All-Freshman Team recipient, is shifting to the back line from a starting holding midfield spot. Senior Katie Gawrys (33 career appearances) is another veteran presence along with sophomore Hannah Obenauf (16 games, 563 minutes). Freshman Mckenzie Price could also fill the post.

"We have an experienced group of center backs," McKinney said. "They are gritty and hard-nosed defenders. They start the attack for us and are able to adapt to whatever picture the opponent gives them. I have been super pleased with this group so far in preseason and the depth we have in this position."

Passini and redshirt sophomore and team captain Dakota Bramer (one assist, 961 minutes) started at outside back last season. Redshirt sophomore Sophie Roebel missed last year due to injury but saw significant action as a freshman in 2022 (eight starts, 785 minutes). Senior Brooklynn Allen (17 games, 515 minutes) was a fixture in the rotation last season.

Senior Hannah Longstreet (23 career appearances) and sophomore Kendall Kamp (10 games), who could also play up front, are further options along with freshmen Aubrey Bally, Sydney Elbert and Price.

"It's the same as with our center backs: We have an experienced group of outside backs coming in this year," McKinney said. "Their willingness to attack and defend is something that we are looking for and excited about with this group."

MIDFIELDERS
Although it was her debut season, Sydni Whitehead (team highs of three assists and 1,547 minutes) was an anchor in the starting defensive midfield last year, earning ASUN All-Freshman Team accolades.

Senior Avery Mahon is a veteran while freshmen Haley Flynn and Kathrine Lindenberg add an infusion of youth.

"Sydni and Avery are returning to the holding mid position this year, and we are excited for them to continue to grow," McKinney said. "Adding Haley and Kat as freshmen in this role is exciting because we need some depth in this position, and we feel they are great additions."

In the attacking midfield, senior and high-impact transfer Emma Nicholson (three goals, one assist, 1,446 minutes) was a second-team All-ASUN selection last season. Sophomore Rachel Skyberg (two goals, 10 starts, 866 minutes) saw considerable action in her debut season, and seniors Sophie Bish (45 career appearances) and Grace Barber (23 career appearances) are also highly seasoned.

Lindenberg and fellow freshmen Brynn Severance and Campbell Tippey are also in the mix.

"We have some new names in this attacking midfield position group," McKinney said. "They have come in this preseason and have done very well. The versatility that each individual player brings in this position group is going to be helpful in each and every game that we have coming up this fall."

FORWARDS
At outside forward, Bellarmine has some multi-goal scorers from 2023 in sophomore Lauren Bingham (three goals, 11 starts, 744 minutes) and junior Clara Spurlock (two goals) while junior Lucy von Stefenelli (two assists, eight starts, 758 minutes) is another veteran.

Kamp, Roebel, sophomore Aly Gorman and freshmen McKenzie Carle and Elbert could also fill the slots.

"For our wingers, we have some experience here from last season with the addition of a couple new players," McKinney said. "This position group keeps getting better and more dynamic, which we are very pleased with and excited to see them in action this season."

Nicholson, Bingham, Carle and Bish along with senior Ashlyn Fuller (29 career appearances) are all possibilities at center forward.

"Our center forwards are our first line of defense and who we want to be our goal scorers," McKinney said. "There is some good depth within this group and a lot of competition."

Bellarmine will open the season at 7:30 p.m. (ET) Thursday at the University of Louisville, which is the alma mater of both McKinney and assistant coach Othaniel Yanez.

"Some expectations for us as a team going into this season are to be passionate in what we are doing every day, be prepared for anything and then, ultimately, at the end of the day, performing."

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