MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's women's soccer program has won 19 matches over the past two competition seasons, the most over a two-year period since 2002-03.
 
Seventh-year head coach Jose Fajardo believes another successful season is in store for his 2022 Rams, who have nine starters and 16 letterwinners back in the mix.
 
"We have a talented team," said Fajardo, whose team opens play Thursday at 7 p.m. against NAIA foe Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids. "Our players are humble. They work hard and support each other. It's a good group."
 
The Rams will build around an experienced group, anchored by fifth-year players and team captains Georgia James and Sam O'Brien. James brings back 53 career starts. O'Brien earned second team all-Midwest Conference honors in 2021.
 
The senior class features second team all-MWC center back Sanne Croes, along with multi-year starters Sydney Hancox and Maddalin Doran. Croes led the team in scoring with 11 points and five goals last season.
 
Sophomore Elise Hermiston is another scoring threat, netting 10 points and four goals in 2021. Juniors Amelia Brown, Sierra Dimmel and sophomores Elissafe Moreno, Kyle Hard and Emma Rowe are key returning pieces to the lineup.
 
The Rams look to replace a mainstay at goalkeeper in Elise Thomason-Larsen, who recorded 184 career saves in 48 matches. Fajardo welcomes two promising prospects at the position with freshmen Sabrina Ibanez and Krystin Kamrath.
 
"We brought in two very talented goalies, I believe two of the best in the conference," Fajardo said. "They are both very athletic and will keep us in tough matches."
 
Freshman Wies Kleingeld is another newcomer expected to make an immediate impact.
 
Cornell was on the short end of several tight matches last fall, finishing 7-11-1 overall and 2-5-1 in the MWC. The Rams are picked seventh in the MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
"I think people will be surprised," Fajardo said. "If we stay healthy, we will compete to win it."
 
A challenging nonconference schedule will help prepare the Rams for MWC play. The home opener is Sunday at 12:30 p.m. against Edgewood. The Rams also have home dates with Aurora (Sept. 11), Iowa Wesleyan (Sept. 14) and UW-Platteville (Sept. 22) before hosting Ripon in the MWC opener Oct. 1.