Trinity Soccer Welcomes Six New Faces!

WASHINGTON DC—Trinity Washington University’s Soccer team, led by head coach, Jason Gross, will be welcoming six incoming freshmen to their program for the 2020-2021 season: Melanie Alvarado, Karol Barahona-Bonilla, Heather Kierzek, Alejandra Lainez-Rodriguez, Marbella Navarrete, and Kaylyn Whiteheart. In addition to the six newcomers, the Tigers will welcome back 11 returners.

Coming off of a record setting season, with an 11% increase in win percentage, Gross and his roster of seventeen are looking forward to getting back on the field. Junior goalie Emily Andino finished the 2019-2020 season ranked # 7 in Division III for saves per game (153). Sophomore striker, Brittany Smith ranked #2 on TWU’s 2019-2020 team in most goals made in a season. While Trinity joins hundreds of NCAA Division III schools in cancelling fall sports, the team goals remain the same.

“Our focus hasn’t changed, the way we have to prepare has. The pandemic has allowed us to incorporate additional layers to our teaching and learning framework,” Gross said. “Players have been committed and engaged, and that’s all I can ask for.”

Gross plans to capitalize on this fall semester in a variety ways. He shares with us some of his expectations.

“We have very specific individual player development goals that we expect each player to reach each year; on and off of the field,” Gross said. “With games cancelled for the fall, we will use that time to continue integrating our recruiting class into our program. Integration will include team culture, academic support, community involvement and game concepts.”

When asked how he plans to utilize the momentum from the past season, Gross responded:

 “I think we were in a really good position to improve our win percentage this fall, but we now have the opportunity to further strengthen our squad with the addition of another recruiting class before we have to take the field again. I’m expecting a breakout season for the program once we return to competition.”

Although there will be noticeable changes within the athletics department, Trinity Athletics will provide programming to enhance the overall college experience for all students on our campus. Please join us as we welcome our incoming scholar-athletes to the Tiger family!