ST. AUGUSTINE – Ashley Martin begins his 12^th season as the head coach of the Flagler College women's soccer team. Nine of his returnees saw ample time as starters last year, but the big loss was four-time Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year Andrea Fernandez.

The Saints finished with a record of 8-4-6 and lost in the conference tournament final before having their season come to an end in the first round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.

"We have a lot of new faces on this year's team and will look a lot different," said Martin. "I think the influence of the transfers is massive and we brought in a group of hungry freshmen."

Carrie Consolino transferred to Flagler from conference-rival Clayton State University. She finished second in the nation with 19 goals and earned first team all-conference honors. Consolino was also selected to the D2CCA All-America second team and was a United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region second team honoree. Freshman forward Ashley Wagner has been impressive in the preseason and is coming off a senior season at Parrish Community High where she was selected as the Sarasota Herald Tribune Player of the Year. Another freshman, Dom Martinez, had a standout career at Fountain (Colo.) Fort Carson High.

"All of the freshmen have been positive additions both on and off the field," said Martin. "They are loving the team on the field but then they are also loving everything about the experience of coming to Flagler off the field."

Forwards
Two-time all-conference selection Paige Churchill will team with Consolino up top. Churchill scored nine goals and had eight assists for 26 points. Wagner is an excellent striker and Jacksonville University transfer Bella Faherty can play multiple positions. Riley Wills comes to the team after a great prep career at Archbishop Spalding High in Severn, Maryland.

Midfielders
Three transfers lead this group. Brooke Rienecker comes to the Ancient City from Towson University while Avery Raimondo made the short trek from the University of North Florida to Flagler. Daytona State College transfer Aiyana Leslie had a solid two-year career for the Falcons. Returnee Mikayla Lambert has three years under her belt and has plenty of experience to lend to the group. Junior Presley Ancheta has 35 starts in her two years and brings a lot of athleticism to the position. Molly Kornblit played in 12 matches last season. Freshmen Hannah Hughes and Mackenzie Flynn will push this experienced group for playing time.

Defenders
Arianna Silva and Grace Simon have locked up the center back spots. Simon earned first team all-conference and second team all-region honors last year. Silva missed all of last year due to an injury. Martinez, Ella Gembicki, Haley Stafford (Fort Lewis College transfer), and Analena Jacob have all shown the can play in the preseason.

Goalkeeper
The battle between the three goalkeepers has been the closest it has ever been during Martin's tenure as head coach. Henley Grunst has started all 31 matches she has played in her two-year career, but Madi Narducci and freshman Phoebe Carpenter have been impressive.     

Flagler opens its schedule on Thursday at No. 7 (United Soccer Coaches Division II Top 25) University of West Florida at 1 p.m. Central.  
 
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