ST. AUGUSTINE – The Flagler College women's soccer team has been the model of consistency over the past six seasons. With only a handful of starters back and eight newcomers, head coach Ashley Martin has already seen the team gel quickly in the preseason camp.

"This group is under no illusions that each match will be difficult and winning doesn't come easily," said Martin. "There's a real determination within the squad to pour their heart and soul into each moment for each other. The team has grown together already and the chemistry is as good as I've seen in any team I have been a part of."

Martin begins his 10^th year as the head coach of the program. He is the longest tenured coach in 28-year history of the program and his 109 victories and 71.8 winning percentage leads the way.

Although only three starters return, one of them happens to be the two-time PBC Player of the Year and United Soccer Coaches third-team All-America Andrea Fernandez. All the junior forward did last year was score 20 goals, tally eight assists, score six game-winning goals, and convert four penalty kicks. Fernandez led the nation in points per game (2.53), and was second in total points (48), third in shots per game (2.68), and fourth in total goals and goals per game (1.05).

Junior midfielder Moa Arlebo and sophomore defender Arianna Silva are the other returning starters for the Saints. Junior forward Elke Fernandez started in 11 matches last season and provides added experience.

Of the eight newcomers this year, two are transfers who are expected to bring their experience and quality to the midfield.

Flagler begins the season where it left off last year – ranked No. 15 in the national poll. The Saints were picked to finish in second place in the conference coaches' preseason poll. Andrea Fernandez and Arlebo were named to the preseason all-conference team   

The Saints have won at least 12 matches each of the last six seasons (except the COVID-shortened season in 2020), finished in the top three in the Peach Belt Conference each year, including winning the regular season league titles twice (2019 and 2020). Flagler has also won the last four PBC Tournament crowns and made five NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances, including a national semifinal berth in 2019.
 
Flagler opens the season tomorrow (Aug. 31) at Limestone University at noon. The home opener is Sept. 13 against Eckerd College at 5 p.m. at Saints Field.

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