LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University women's soccer team is set to enter its second season under Steve Bornhoffer after a bar-setting year in his debut campaign.

In 2025, the Knights established new Division I-era program records for total wins (11, after going 11-6-4), road wins (seven) and unbeaten streak (nine). The road victory tally was one more than the program produced from the previous five seasons combined.

In addition, Bellarmine secured its first outright ASUN Tournament win (twice before it advanced in penalty kicks, which are classified as draws) after shocking Graphite Division top seed FGCU 3-1 in the quarterfinals. The Knights appeared in the ASUN semifinals for the second time in program history and earned victories over both division champions — they also defeated Gold Division victor Lipscomb in the regular season.

Bellarmine will look to maintain — or trump — that standard in 2026, starting at 7 p.m. (ET) Thursday at Lindenwood. That matchup marks the first of four straight road contests to open the season for the Knights, who are eying a 17-game slate, with 10 coming in ASUN play.

RETURNERS
Bellarmine had a pair of returners honored in the preseason. Redshirt sophomore Anna Jenkins was voted ASUN Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year while junior midfielder Brynn Severance joined her on the Preseason All-ASUN Team. Jenkins (10-6-3, .814 save percentage, 1.16 GAA, 96 total saves in 2025) was an ASUN All-Freshman Team selection last season while Severance (two goals, one assist, 1,740 minutes) was acknowledged as third-team All-ASUN.

Redshirt senior defender Dakota Bramer (one goal, one assist, 1,352 minutes) is a career starter returning for a fifth season. Redshirt junior defender Cameron Dye transferred to Bellarmine last season and started 19 games while logging 1,573 minutes. Sophomore midfielder Nora Dimmitt (two goals, one assist, 1,319 minutes) and sophomore defender Abigail Fike (1,712) both started in their respective debut season and were ASUN All-Freshman Team recipients.

Junior midfielder Campbell Tippey collected three goals in eight games before sustaining a season-ending injury. Junior defender Mckenzie Price (641 minutes) and sophomore forward Katie Paulakonis (three goals, 637 minutes) appeared in every game last year. Sophomore forward Makenzie Simpson made 11 appearances in 2025 before enduring a season-ending injury. The team's dealings with the injury bug began in the first game with Haley Flynn, who's now a redshirt sophomore midfielder.

Junior midfielder Sydney Elbert (11 games) is back alongside senior forwards Lauren Bingham and Aly Gorman, who also dealt with injury last season, and redshirt junior goalkeeper Morgan Rose.

NEWCOMERS
Bellarmine brought aboard a lone transfer in Natalie Knecht, a sophomore midfielder who arrived via Western Kentucky. The new Knights were plucked largely from the high school ranks, as the team will boast eight true freshmen in forwards Brooklyn Donohue, Ella Russo and Morgan Holloway, midfielders Ella Flynn and Rachel Shewmaker, defenders Alaina French and Liv Arauz, and goalkeeper Joelle Hentz.

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