UMass Women’s Soccer 2025 Season Preview and Key Highlights

The University of Massachusetts women’s soccer team is gearing up for an exciting 2025 season. They’ll start off with a home game against St. John’s on August 14 at Rudd Field.

This season marks a big milestone for the program. It’s their 48th year and their first time competing in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

Head coach Jason Dowiak enters his eighth season at the helm. He’s looking to help the Minutewomen build on their impressive record as they take on this new challenge.

UMass Women’s Soccer: A Legacy of Excellence

UMass women’s soccer has a storied history, with an overall record of 517-290-78 (.584). The team has shown plenty of skill and determination over the years, making them a tough opponent in college soccer.

This year’s roster features a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. The Minutewomen seem poised to keep their tradition of excellence alive.

Returning Players and New Additions

The 2025 squad brings back 16 players from last season, including graduate students Sarah DeFreitas and Macy Graves. Their leadership and experience should prove valuable as the team faces a new conference and new opponents.

UMass welcomes 12 newcomers, and there’s a nice mix of talent across positions:

• Redshirt Senior: Emma Burke
• Sophomore: Peyton Costello
• Freshmen: Ella Casagrande-Stevens, Skye Cuscuna, Amelia Deren, Pepper Escher, Chloe Kundra, Kayla Nohasiarisoa, Piersen Rawlin, Kaila Steen, Lexi Terry, and Aline Traber

This diverse group should add fresh energy and skills. It’s always exciting to see how new faces will fit in and shake things up.

Reflecting on the 2024 Season

Last season, UMass women’s soccer finished with a solid 13-5-3 overall record and a 6-2-2 mark in conference play. The team shut out nine opponents, including six at Rudd Field.

They made it to the Atlantic 10 Championships finals, but fell 3-1 to top-seeded Saint Louis. That run showed grit, even if it didn’t end with the trophy.

Preseason Projections and Expectations

According to the recent MAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll, the Minutewomen are projected to finish fourth. That’s a respectable spot, and honestly, it feels like a nod to the program’s steady reputation.

UMass even picked up a vote to finish as conference champions. The top three teams in the poll are Western Michigan, Buffalo, and Ohio.

2025 Season Schedule

The 2025 season kicks off with a home match against St. John’s. After that, five other non-conference games are on the slate.

• Home Games: Harvard (Aug. 24) and Boston College (Sept. 7)
• Road Games: NJIT (Aug. 21), Dartmouth (Aug. 28), and UMass Lowell (Aug. 31)

UMass starts MAC play at home against Ball State on September 14. Other home games include Northern Illinois (Sept. 28), Buffalo (Oct. 9), Eastern Michigan (Oct. 12), Ohio (Oct. 26), and Bowling Green (Oct. 29).

On the road, they’ll face Akron (Sept. 18), Kent State (Sept. 25), Western Michigan (Oct. 2), Central Michigan (Oct. 5), Miami (OH) (Oct. 16), and Toledo (Oct. 19). It’s a packed schedule, and there’s a lot to look forward to.

Streaming and Broadcasting

Fans can stream all home games on ESPN+. It’s a handy way to keep up with the team, whether you’re local or following from afar.

Streaming links for home games will be listed on the UMass women’s soccer schedule page. Definitely worth bookmarking if you’re planning to tune in.

MAC Championships: A New Chapter

The 2025 and 2026 MAC Women’s Soccer Championships will take place at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. It’s the first time the event will be held at a neutral site, which honestly adds a cool twist.

Six teams will qualify, with the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds getting a bye to the semifinals. Quarterfinal matches open on Saturday, November 1, with semifinals on Tuesday, November 4, and the finals on Friday, November 7.